SOUTH
Africa claims it is winning the battle to alter its perception as an unsafe
destination.
Tourism
leaders claim bookings from the UK jumped more than 10% in 2000 with Europe
showing growth of 6.3%.
UK,
Ireland and Nordic managing director Willem Eksteen stressed it was already
beginning to lose its tag as a crime-ridden and dangerous country before events
in September.
He
added however that demand for South Africa has increased even more since the terrorist
attacks as people desert the US and Middle East in favour of alternative
long-haul destinations.
“Interest
since September 11 has leaped by as much as 100%,” he said.
The
number of cruise liners docking in Cape Town has also spiralled dramatically –
from only 11 throughout the whole of 2000 to 38 in the past six weeks.
Meanwhile,
South Africa has signed a deal to continue its taxi campaign for another 18
months.
It
has also revamped its training for agents and is targeting 2000 agents to
become South African specialists.
“It is a formal course for agents and those
scoring 75% will receive a certificate recognising their specialisation,”
said Eksteen.