Published on : Wednesday, November 6, 2013
South African Tourism is gearing up for a busier competition ever WTM this year, with a major focus on South Africa’s culture and heritage tourism offering.
Senior executives from the Ministry of Tourism in South Africa, including Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, CEO Thulani Nzima and Chief Marketing Officer Jan Hutton will the stand during the show’s first two days.
The tear 2014 heralds a milestone year for South Africa.
Next year near will mark 20 years since Nelson Mandela became president, heralding the beginning of democracy in the country with celebrations taking place nationwide on 27 April (Freedom Day). Also in 2014, South Africa’s Mother City – Cape Town – will take on the coveted mantle as World Design Capital; this will be a first for both Africa and the southern hemisphere.
As a focal point for the international design community in 2014, Cape Town will use the spotlight to highlight the creativity of the city and South Africa through a year-long programme of events and projects that will help nurture designs and bridge historic gaps. Events and initiatives will include: the international design fair Guild by Southern Guild, which will be the first showcase of global, limited edition contemporary African design; Infecting the City, a public arts festival; as well as a range of workshops and summits. Further details will be announced as celebrations draw closer.
Adding to South Africa’s design credentials, last week – 24th October – saw the opening of MOAD, Africa’s first Design Museum located within the heart of Johannesburg’s most exciting transformation – the Maboneng Precinct. Maboneng Precinct is a neighbourhood fuelled by some of the world’s most creative minds such as William Kentridge, bringing people back into the city to live, work and play. As a pan-African cultural hub, MOAD’s inaugural event will be Southern Guild’s annual exhibition, Native Nostalgia – which will feature mixed media works from across the continent reflecting upon the past. MOAD has four scheduled exhibitions to run within its first year.
South Africa’s arts and culture scenes have been two of the greatest areas of growth for the country in the last two decades. This, combined with a rich cultural heritage and a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit, provides a truly exciting and unique offering for visitors, at a time when the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) research suggests that 40% of global tourists actively seek culture and heritage experiences.
Nkosi – whilst dancing to the beats of a silent disco. chalkwyk will take to the stage at 3.30pm to address stand visitors. Touching on last year’s outstanding tourism figures, with South Africa reporting a 10.per cent growth – with a staggering 4159 growth of arrivals out of the UK alone, van Schalkwyk will also outline plans for 2014. As well as the nationwide celebrations that will be taking place to celebrate South Africa’s momentous year, from a travel trade perspective INDABA will also be one of 20140to’s highlights. For the first time ever, INDABA will be a pan-African travel trade show with exciting changes including a table-top business hub for high-end meetings, digital travel initiatives and speed marketing sessions. The show will take place from 10-12 May 2014 in Durban.
Tags: Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, nelson mandela, South Africa
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