| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 26/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 45 |
| Copyright: Other |
SOUTHERN
AFRICA
Zimbabwe’s troubles have led to a rise in visitors to its neighbouring countries
Although the political crisis in Zimbabwe has had a serious effect on tourism, neighbouring regions have conversely seen a boost. South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia have all benefited from the current situation.Nigel Crofton of Outposts, which represents about 60 safari camps in Southern and East Africa said: “A lot of people are cancelling Zimbabwe but most have stayed in Africa.
“East Africa’s done well out of it but so have South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.”
South Africa has welcomed the boost after a sluggish 1999. Somak product manager Shafique Cockar said:”We’ve seen a 20% increase in South Africa, partly because of the Zimbabwe crisis.
“For people who wanted to go to that part of the world, it’s the nearest place.”
Abercrombie and Kent’s South Africa sales are also up. “They’re not at 1998 levels yet but it’s much healthier,” said Jayne Smith, planning manager for the tailor-made Journeys programme. “Last year there was no business at all.”
She said the credit for the increase belonged to South Africa Tourism (Satour). Its high-profile advertising campaign launched in November 1999, which involved taking 40 London cabbies on holiday in return for painting their taxis with the South African flag, made headlines and boosted consumer interest in the destination.
Satour deputy marketing manager Basil Van Blommenstein said the initiative was due to end next November but would be reconsidered in the light of its success. He said; “We have a great hope that the cabbie promotion will continue in greater numbers and in different cities, perhaps Manchester and Birmingham.”
The other major element of Satour’s strategy is its three-year joint marketing agreements with operators.
Funded by the South African government and private enterprise, Satour is entering 50-50 initiatives with operators.
“It’s nice to be able to put money back into the marketplace, to encourage companies to put South Africa into their programmes or produce specialist brochures,” said Van Blommenstein.
“Some operators are using the money for staff training or advertising.”
Satour’s target is a 15% increase in UK visitor numbers this financial year. “That would put us at between 400,000 to 420,000 arrivals in South Africa,” Van Blommenstein said.
The most recent available figures show 166,000 UK holidaymakers went to South Africa between January and June 1999.
However, Satour’s job has been made easier by the Zimbabwe crisis, it is unlikely such effects will last for ever. Managing director of Sunvil Discovery Africa Chris McIntyre believes the long-term outcome of the crisis will be negative for the whole region.
“I think in the short term we’re seeing a slight boost in South Africa and Botswana because people that had planned a trip to Zimbabwe have swapped,” he said. “But in the long term people are looking at Africa and feeling less confident. It’s upset the Rand, it’s upset the South African stock exchange. There’s a feeling of unease that wasn’t there a year ago.”
McIntyre added: “The bottom has fallen out of the market. No one is booking Zimbabwe trips.”
Mark Boulle, product manager at Wild Africa Safaris, said although tourist areas were safe, customers had lost confidence. “In the past two months we’ve had more letters than ever before from clients saying what a wonderful time they’ve had in Zimbabwe but we’ve got no new business coming in,” he said.
Somak has lost between 65%-70% of forward sales to Zimbabwe, and most existing bookings have been swapped over.
Ethnic appeal: despite many tourist attractions, Zimbabwe has inevitably suffered from political instability
Ethnic appeal: despite many tourist attractions, Zimbabwe has inevitably suffered from political instability