Football fever is set to grip the Africa Hall as South African Tourism (SAT) (AF3200) prepares to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup next June and July. SAT is planning a host of football-related activities, including a guest appearance by South African-born footballer Lucas Radebe, the former captain of Leeds United.
All of the nine host cities will be represented from Johannesburg and Cape Town, to Durban and Nelspruit.
To tie in with its current focus on health and wellness, SAT will also be encouraging agents to visit its stand to experience some Africology and Marula gifts and treatments.
Operators such as Explore South Africa will also be hoping to capitalise on the football fest, as well as promote their golf, safari and self-drive breaks in Southern Africa (AF4000).
Neighbouring states will also be looking to benefit from the increased interest in the region, such as Lesotho and Namibia, which will be positioning themselves as alternative destinations to World Cup-goers. The Namibia Tourism Board (AF1500) will also be offering agents the chance to win a place on its next fam trip, as well as pushing its safari sector.
Not surprisingly, safaris will be a major focus at World Travel Market. Operators in attendance will include Classic Safari Camps of Africa (AF4550), which will be showcasing its award-winning camps such as Governors’ Camp and Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, and Antelope Safaris (AF1600), which will be promoting its responsible tourism initiatives in Tanzania.
Also in Tanzania, Serena Hotels (AF4600) will be promoting its latest two boutique properties, the Mivumo River Lodge and the Selous Wildlife Lodge – both located in the Selous Game Reserve.
This year’s show will also see the launch of the Safari and Conservation Company (AF2800), a collection of 10 owner-managed properties in Kenya, and Wilderness Safaris (AF4500) will be in town to discuss its plans for safaris in Malawi, having secured the tourism concession for Nyika National Park earlier this year.
Have you ever pictured yourself in Kenya? If not, head to stand AF3600 and get your photo taken against some scenic backdrops and grab a dawa cocktail, every day from 5pm-6pm.
The Tunisian National Tourist Office (ME6600) will host a traditional engraver and perfumer on its stand, plus a competition to win two flights.
Elsewhere, The Gambia Tourism Authority (AF4750) will be promoting itself as an upmarket tourist destination as it prepares to host the Africa Travel Association’s 35th annual congress next May. Hotel group African Sun (AF2510) will be promoting its first Zambian property, the Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge.
The Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (AS2800) will be promoting the natural wonders of the islands and the fantastic diving opportunities.
The Seychelles Tourism Board will be celebrating the relaunch of its London office after a year’s absence with drinks and canapes at the King George Suite at the Novotel London ExCeL at 12.30pm on Tuesday November 10. Find out how the paradise islands will be promoted in 2010 at stand AS2600.
