Hong Kong, China, July 7, 2017 /Xinwengao.com/ - South African Tourism embarks on a China trade workshop roadshow to play a critical facilitation role for travel business exchanges between South African inbound operators and product suppliers in Greater China, stopping through Beijing on June 26, then Shanghai on June 28, and Hong Kong on June 30, 2017.

These travel trade workshops enable South African suppliers to showcase their products, and serve as a valuable networking opportunity allowing not only for the creation and consolidation of new business and trade opportunities, but to highlight the endless offerings that the ‘Rainbow Nation’ has to offer as a prime tourism destination.

“With over 117,144 visitors to South Africa from China in the last financial year, representing an astonishing 38 per cent year on year increase, we are focusing more effort to facilitate trade partnerships and opportunities for business growth this year,” said Mr. Bradley Brouwer, President, Asia Pacific, South African Tourism. “And, as you know, our nation offers the most authentic travel experiences and unforgettable adventures in the world, so we’re excited to share those with you all.”

The workshops held by South African Tourism assume a trade business focus, with a multi-sensory impact to immerse guests, amongst whom are regional tourism authorities and key trade and product partners.

South African Tourism supports a multitude of tourism enterprises, creating approximately 700,000 new jobs and playing a major role in South Africa’s economic future; and an additional 300,000 more jobs will be added to bring direct employment to 1 million, helping transform their products into extraordinary experiences that keep visitors coming back to the country.

This year, South African Tourism is driving its consumer campaign promising exciting moments for consumers inspired by the incomparable sense of excitement, joy, and amazement that await Chinese visitors in South Africa.

The beautifully diverse country of South Africa offers Chinese visitors a whole new world of compelling experiences combining stunning wildlife and ocean safaris, pristine nature, city lifestyle, affordable luxury and adrenaline-fueled adventures from mountain hiking to shark cage-diving.

As the unrivaled adventure capital of the world, South Africa is a leader in responsible tourism, and famous for its year-round sunshine, vibrant local customs, and timeless world heritage.

Special conservation areas of the ocean protect the environment and its invaluable wildlife population from the debilitating effects of habitat destruction. Travelers can go on exciting newly launched ocean safaris to witness the largest breeding colony of African penguins in the world found on St Croix Island, or get up close with thousands of bottlenose dolphins in Port Elizabeth in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Other must-see destinations and experiences on many vacation itineraries include game viewing in the famous Kruger National Park, and day trips through the picturesque Garden Route between the gorgeous Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, through ancient forests, lakes, secluded bays and coves, mountain hideaways, and historic towns steeped in culture and tradition.

Now reaching its 7th year of sustained growth despite economic slowdown, South Africa recorded 13% growth in the international tourist arrivals as the sector brings in about 9% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Through the National Tourism Sector Strategy, South Africa aims to achieve over 200% growth in direct contribution to reach R302 Billion in 2026.

South Africa is also implementing a transformation plan developed under the guidance of the Tourism Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Charter Council, to put together a framework to maximize empowerment of young black entrepreneurs, bring in existing black tourism operators, and strengthen market access for black-owned enterprises.

Furthermore, the Rainbow Nation has entered into a partnership with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) to establish a Transformation Fund, a combination of grant funding and debt financing used to unlock capital investment in tourism and to support small to medium enterprises in expanding their existing products. The fund is currently capitalized to an amount of R120 million with the aim of building it to R360 million in the medium term.

With two more visa facilitation centres opening by the end of 2017, and a non-stop flight 3 times a week between Beijing and Johannesburg with Air China, and the daily flights with South African Airways out of Hong Kong creates an increasingly seamless travel experience for Chinese visitors.

South Africa is set to continue growing its partnerships and welcoming both travelers and business opportunities this year, and the roadshow is opening the doors to truly authentic adventures and opportunities to bridge the space between the nations.

For further information about South Africa, please visit SA Tourism China’s official website: www.southafricantourism.cn