Joanna Booth joined travel agents on South Africa Tourism’s mega fam trip earlier this month
South Africa Tourism pulled out all the stops to impress agents on its recent mega fam, which ran from May 29 to June 9.
Trade relations manager Matthew Armstrong said: “We have to be mindful of the fact that all destinations run fam trips and we need to stand out above the rest.”
The fam split into three groups to cover different itineraries before regrouping in Johannesburg at the end of the week to compare notes and enjoy a barbecue.
Each group had an action-packed itinerary. Agents who had visited the Mpumalanga and Durban areas had plenty of tales to tell, from spotting the big five and visiting a chimp sanctuary, to learning to cook potjie (stew prepared in the traditional round, cast iron, three-legged pots) and the history of rock art.
After a week in the Western Cape we didn’t find it hard to compete. Agents in my group found it difficult to pick one highlight – did we prefer stroking a cheetah, or spotting humpback whales and a great white shark? And was quad biking more or less exciting than taking a cable car ride up to the top of Table Mountain?
South Africa Tourism is keen to sell the country as a year-round destination. Armstrong said: “It’s not just a beach holiday – there’s plenty to do come rain or shine. The key was to give agents a feel for available activities, not just hotels or properties.”
>>Photos from the trip on flickr
What the agents said
“The Constantia Uitsig vineyard, hotel and spa was great. Set among the vineyard rows and with a back-drop of mountains, this was a fantastic place to sample excellent wines and fabulous food. The hotels were excellent – Grootbos Nature Reserve was my favourite.”
Marc Fitchett, Travel Counsellors, Wiltshire
“I got a huge buzz from quad biking in the winelands. The views from the farm over the cape region were amazing. My experiences will help me sell Cape Town. Clients always appreciate first-hand knowledge.”
Candy Bass, Thomas Cook Signature
“South Africa has stunning scenery. Soweto was an eye-opener. Clients are always asking if it is safe to visit – I never felt unsafe. The high standard of accommodation and the relatively cheap food and drink make South Africa an inexpensive location.”
Alan Wilman, AJ World Travel, Lancashire
“The trip gave me an excellent overview of what South Africa has to offer. I enjoyed driving through the beautiful wine estates and whale-watching in Hermanus. The trip has definitely given me a lot more confidence in selling South Africa, and I feel I will be able to promote it far more successfully than before my visit.”
Zoe Dean, Travel Counsellors
>> Read agent blog posts from the South African fam trip
Itinerary: Cape Town
Day one: Cook Cape Malay lunch at Nyoni Kraal restaurant, visit Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Day two: Quad biking, brandy tasting at the Van Rhyn Cellar, cooking at Volkskombuis restaurant, cheetah interaction at Spier hotel, dinner in the Moyo restaurant
Day three: Tour Stellenbosch, lunch at Constantia Uitsig, visit Table Mountain
Day four: Hermanus, check in at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, whale watching
Day five: Tour Grootbos, drive to Cape Town and fly to Johannesburg
Day six: Tour Johannesburg and Soweto, barbecue ‘cook-off’ with agents from other fams, fly back to Heathrow
- Learn more about South Africa on Travel Weekly’s My South African Feast website
