Sri Lankans to crown South Africa Tourism glory
South Africa Tourism would be tapping into the 4000-odd Sri Lankan business traveller market often visiting the country that would add a “jewel in its crown,” a tourism official said.
Currently, South Africa’s highest visitors were from the UK at around half a million, Germany and the US generating a quarter million while in the South Asian region, China tops the travellers list followed by India and Australia and Sri Lanka would be “the big cherry on the top” and add to being the “new jewel in the crown,” South Africa Tourism Country Head for India Hanneli Slabber said in an interview with the Business Times. She was speaking on the sidelines of the South Africa Tourism Roadshow held in Colombo on Monday.
South Africa Tourism was in the country last year as well to understand the country’s local market and would get a promotional campaign underway next year; Ms. Slabber said adding that presently they had a campaign with cricketer Johnty Rhodes to attract the Indian holidaymaker. However, prior to establishing a promotion it was imperative to understand what the Sri Lankan traveller wants, it was pointed out. The roadshow in Colombo saw a number of business-to-business meetings being held at the Atrium, Cinnamon Grand with the participation of 18 South African companies.
South Africa would be eyeing the MICE and leisure travellers particularly from Sri Lanka and noted that the current business traveller would be targeted to visit the country with family to engage in adventure activities and marine reserves especially in addition to the other tours available.
Ms. Slabber explained that “Sri Lankans fell in love with Cape Town” but it was noted that there was more to South Africa than just that. Sri Lankans were noted to be interested in the Malay and African food combination as well.
“We are never going to be as cheap as a short haul destination,” she said adding that however, they want to ensure that though the “cost is more but it’s worth every penny you pay.”
South African High Commissioner Geoff Doidge said there was no direct air connectivity yet between the two countries but the traveller base from Colombo had potential to grow as well as from South Africa into Sri Lanka.
There has also been a substantial increase in the number of Sri Lankans going to South Africa and an increase in transit visas to get to the hub of Southern Africa, he explained.
In addition, Mr. Doidge said there had been an increase in South African travellers to Colombo due to the South African mission in Colombo raising the profile of Sri Lanka. He also said there were a number of Sri Lankan Muslim students in South African universities.
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka- Africa and Middle East Business Council President Samantha Ranatunga highlighted tourist arrivals from South Africa to Sri Lanka which recorded 23.4 per cent growth reaching 4,155 arrivals in 2014 while approximately 4, 300 Sri Lankans obtained visas to travel to South Africa on business and leisure last year.
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