The South African Tourism concluded the 7th edition of its annual travel trade training sessions in Goa recently. Aimed at equipping travel agents with the best tips to sell the destination, ‘Learn South Africa’ (Learn SA) is a 17-city training programme which covered urban metros and tier II & III markets.
The sessions were structured to ensure that travellers enjoy many new, exciting, tailor-made itinerary options as a direct result. “Learn SA helps ensure that Indian travel agents know how to choose the best quality hotels for their customer’s budget and needs. It also teaches them how to choose the best in-destination partners to escort the travellers while on holiday. It also gives them updates about new things to see and do in South Africa and basics like visa and logistical know-how to ensure that travellers are catered to efficiently,” said Hanneli Slabber, Country Manager India, South African Tourism.
Goa has been identified as one of the emerging source markets driving tourist traffic to South Africa. It has been listed as one of the 10 next high potential cities outside the traditional Indian metros. Goa also features among those Indian cities which witnessed the highest GDP growth since 2015 and is also home to a large number of wealthy retirees according to the 2017 New World Wealth Report. South Africa is keen to keep attracting Goa’s travel enthusiasts and potential is brimming.
One of Learn SA 2017’s focus areas was to train travel agents about new destinations such Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Port Elizabeth and the Drakensberg region. These are picturesque areas where travellers can pack in a lot of action into shorter time spans. Goans being beachside residents, possibly look for travel experiences beyond beaches.
Team TNV