In a move to strengthen ties and tourism opportunities between the Middle East and…
In a move to strengthen ties and tourism opportunities between the Middle East and South Africa, the South African Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism (DEAT) and SA Tourism will be hosting the first-ever SA tourism workshop to be held in the United Arab Emirates.
Etihad Airways, which commenced service between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi on the 1st December 2005, is co-operating in the workshops by sponsoring the air travel of the delegation, assisting with on the ground event coordination, providing the DEAT with a comprehensive database of travel industry contacts for the workshop and senior Etihad management will be present at all workshops to promote the airline’s new route linking the two cities.
“This is an unprecedented partnership between South African tourism and a foreign airline and sets the tone for anticipated future co-operation between all parties,” says Ian Ferguson-Brown, head of communications for Etihad Airways. “We feel that it is essential to showcase our new destinations to all in our home base in the UAE, and to grow the attraction of South Africa as a tourist destination.”
“Despite current tourism arrivals from the UAE representing a small portion of the overall inbound market into South Africa, there is some great potential and Etihad wants to play a part in realising that potential,” continues Brown.
The objective of the workshop is to present South Africa’s unique selling propositions as one of the worlds leading up-an-coming tourist destinations and provide UAE travel trade with in-depth insights into the country’s tourism attractions. Aside from presentations covering South Africa’s attributes as a tourist destination, trade and investment opportunities will also be explored. Workshops will be held in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai, providing wide coverage of existing and potential new markets in the UAE.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
