~Expanding beyond Cape Town and Johannesburg, SA promotes newer regions to meet the growing demand for tailored travel experiences from India’s tier-2 cities~
Marking another milestone in the initiative’s journey to engage key travel trade partners across India, South African Tourism successfully executed the second leg of its 10th edition of the ‘Learn South Africa’ workshop in Nagpur. In a strategic effort to further tap into the growing interest from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, over 100 travel trade partners from Nagpur participated, learning about South Africa’s lesser-known wonders like KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and Limpopo, broadening the country’s offerings beyond well-known destinations such as Cape Town and Johannesburg.
India continues to serve as one of the largest source markets for South Africa, with rising interest from smaller cities like Nagpur. Travellers from this region are seeking diverse experiences, including shopping, adventure, and cultural attractions. To cater to this rising demand, the workshop aimed to equip travel partners with the knowledge and tools to create customised itineraries for Indian travellers. South African Tourism’s goal is to position the Rainbow Nation as a premier choice for leisure and MICE travel. Following the success in Nagpur, the final leg of the three-city workshop will take place in Kochi on 13th December.
Commenting on the successful event in Nagpur, Mr. Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East, South African Tourism, stated: “Nagpur is emerging as a key market for South African Tourism, with travellers increasingly drawn to unique, offbeat experiences. To leverage this growing interest, we aim to strengthen ties with travel agents in tier II and tier III cities, ensuring a wider range of visitors can experience the best of South Africa. Our engagement with local trade partners has been highly positive, and we are confident this will lead to more Indian travellers exploring South Africa’s lesser-known regions. These workshops are part of our ongoing strategy to showcase the depth of experiences our country offers beyond the usual hotspots.”
Nagpur, has seen a significant interest from both leisure and business travellers, contributing significantly to the increase in footfall to international destinations. Like travellers from other Indian city, those from Nagpur are also becoming more adept at finding the best value for their trips. South Africa is emerging as a popular choice, thanks to the favourable exchange rate—1 ZAR equals approximately 4.5 Indian Rupees. Additionally, 19% of Indian travellers are motivated by visiting friends and relatives (VFR), while business travellers account for 46% of overall arrivals, underscoring the rising interest in both personal and professional journeys. States like Maharashtra have experienced notable increase in travel activity in 2023, with a substantial uptick in both leisure and business trips.
The 10th edition of ‘Learn South Africa’ in Nagpur marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to strengthen partnerships with India’s travel trade professionals. Aligned with the board’s strategic vision of promoting South Africa as a versatile destination, the Rainbow Nation is expanding its reach into tier-2 cities across India.