Cape Town on show to the world

Belfast – A pack of heavy weight tourism role players from Cape Town Tourism, the Southern Cape and Klein Karoo have taken Ireland by storm, introducing the unique attractions, unsurpassed beauty and world class tourism products of the Western Cape to the people of Ireland. The proud South Africans are part of 360 exhibitors from different parts of the world that took part in the Holiday World Show at Kings Hall in Belfast last week. Approximately 30 000 people visited the show which ended on Sunday. This is the first time that South Africans and tourism role players from Cape Town and the Western Cape have taken part in this show.

“The feedback we have received from our colleagues at the show is very positive. Visitors from Ireland are often put off by the fact that Cape Town is a long haul destination. A large percentage of the visitors to the South African stand did not realize that they could catch a late evening flight to South Africa and enjoy breakfast in Cape Town the very next morning,” says Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism.

The tourism ambassadors on tour include Ms Cathy Alberts, Marketing Manager of Cape Town Tourism, marketing officers from the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region and private sector tourism role players.

According to Irish travel statistics one in eight Irish holiday makers normally goes on holiday about four or more times a year. The number of holidays abroad is growing by almost 10% annually. Statistics also show that Irish people are travelling abroad in greater numbers and to more destinations than ever before. Wildlife and nature based tourism is cited as one of the new markets heavily in demand for the Irish traveller.

“Cape Town Tourism looks forward to welcome more visitors from Ireland. South Africa is the perfect destination for the Irish – down to earth hospitality, unspoilt wilderness areas, great food, good beer, a good tourism infrastructure and lots of sunshine. The fact that the Irish pound is worth about R14,50 at present made most visitors to the stand smile from ear to ear,” du Toit –Helmbold added.

This means that accommodation in Cape Town is up to 50% more affordable and you can dine for up to 60% less than in Belfast.

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Bernie Kelly was one of the visitors to the stand. She collected brochures on Cape Town for her next visit to the Mother City.

The next stop is the Dublin Holiday World Show from 24 – 27 January. According to the organizers of the Dublin Holiday World Show there will be more than 700 exhibitors representing over 70 countries at the show and more than 60 000 visitors are expected.

The series of consumer shows, attended by the South Africans, included the Vakantie Salon in Antwerp in Belgium and will end in London with the Destinations Show at Earl’s Court.

“Consumer shows like these have been identified by Cape Town Tourism and other regional tourism organisations as the perfect platform to promote the diversity of regions, experiences and products within the Western Cape, direct to the consumer. Creating these opportunities for members of Cape Town Tourism is an important part of our Membership Programme, addressing the big need of particularly smaller businesses to have better access to markets and an opportunity to compete with established businesses on equal footing,” concluded du Toit-Helmbold.

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