Neliswa Nkani says over 550 travel agents in Delhi attended the roadshow
Seeking to build on the strong travel momentum witnessed in the year 2023, South African Tourism wrapped up the second part of its five-city 20th Annual India Roadshow in New Delhi, with a robust participation by South African tourism trade stakeholders who turned up in big numbers to meet with their potential Indian clients.
According to a press statement issued by South African Tourism, the 2024 roadshow began on February 12 in Jaipur and which is now headed Ahmedabad on February 14, Bengaluru on February 15 and conclude in Mumbai on February 16.
The statement adds that India is currently one of the fastest growing outbound travel markets, outpacing Asia and many countries around the world. The country is amongst the top-3 focus markets for South African Tourism and holds immense potential in the years to come, says the tourism board in the statement.
The board adds that its 20th multi-city schedule achieves a vital milestone and it marks over two decades of its growing investments in India. Led by Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, South African Tourism and with the presence of 42 exhibitors from South Africa, the event was attended by over 550 travel trade partners in Delhi and shared critical local market insights enabling them to capitalise on growing demand.
The statement adds that the roadshow in Delhi allowed Indian trade partners to evaluate their inventory and identify potential future collaborations. The tourism board adds that it is worth noting, amongst the local businesses were 14 SMMEs who along with their counterparts presented a portfolio comprising of 40 pc new products showcasing diversified and affordable offerings. Such events present businesses from both the nations a platform to engage and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.
“The 20th Annual India Roadshow marks more than two decades of South African Tourism’s commitment to the Indian market. 2023 emerged as another successful year for us and we witnessed 43 pc increase in travellers from India compared to its previous year. This achievement would not have been possible without relentless efforts from our Indian trade partners and the affection showered upon the Rainbow Nation by India travellers; we are truly grateful,” says Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head, Middle East, India and South East Asia, South African Tourism.
“Post resumption of travel activities we have seen India’s outbound tourism market bounce back much stronger compared to rest of the world. Given the immense potential that lies in the Indian market, it continues to remain amongst our top three focus market for 2024 and holds a position of strategic importance. We hope to keep this momentum going and welcome “more & more” Indian travellers to the Rainbow Nation,” adds Nkani.
The statement adds that Delhi is currently the second largest market for South African Tourism in India and contributes profoundly to leisure, business, and MICE segments. In 2023, South Africa witnessed an increase of 43 pc in overall inbound travellers from India. Interestingly, 36 pc of Delhiites travelled to the Rainbow Nation for business purposes while 72 pc of travellers from Delhi spent most on shopping when in-destination. The tourism board says it will continue with its efforts to improve accessibility and encourage dialogues aimed at establishing direct routes to boost tourism and trade between the two nations.
The travel trade participants from South Africa present at the roadshow emphasise the importance of the Indian market.
“Last year we received over 80,000 Indians, just in one year from January to December. And most of them are interested on wildlife safaris in the park itself. We specialise on Kruger Safari as well as Sun City, Garden Route and Cape Town. Mostly they look for adventure activities which accommodates every age and cultural activities to learn about the culture of the South African people and also sightseeing, which will interest the played Blood River Canyon and other attraction areas in South Africa,” Netto Maluka from Mbombela Experience, a Mpumalanga-based tour operator, tells India Outbound.
“In 2023, 45 pc of visitors were from India, almost half of our annual numbers that we got for 2023. And what I’ve noticed, especially with the Indian market, they love adventure. From the young to the old, it does not matter, they want to jump off that bridge, they want to do skydive or shark cage,” Thomas Ngomana of Bloukrans Bungy, one of the world’s highest commercial bungy jumping sites at 216 metres above the Bloukrans River, tells India Outbound.
“Through today’s show my aspiration is to return to pre-Covid. I have done this roadshow for my seventh year now. It is my first time back in India now after the pandemic,” adds Ngomana.
