In support of Small and Medium Scale Business in the Travel Industry in Nigeria, South African Tourism (SAT) partnered with South African Airways (SAA) and the Sun International (SI) to give 9 small and upcoming travel agents (trade) executives an opportunity to explore South Africa and have their products at a Brand Expo which took place on 29th & 30th June 2018 at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria. The 9 travel agencies taken on the trip includes Crew Training Institute, Greater View Travels, Saffron Travels, Apeiron Travels, Vectra Travels, Foshizi Tours, Teeysz Tours, Akenn Tours and Nje Tours.
Taking off in the brand new South African Airways Airbus A330-300 series from Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and led by Trade Relations Manager, South African Tourism West Africa, Mr Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa and Mrs Motunrayo Ajomale of South African Airways Nigeria, the trade executives were prepped ahead of the two-week power packed and exciting trip to South Africa. Arriving at the O.R Tambo International Airport in the early hours of the 2nd of August, the travel agents were whisked off on a 30-minute drive to the Maslow Hotel in the heart of Sandton and were welcomed by Mr Didier Bayeye, Marketing Manager, West Africa & Indian Ocean, Sun International.
While SAA was responsible for providing the flight to South Africa, Sun International provided the befitting accommodation at Maslow for the travel agents and SAT provided the experiences & ground logistics throughout their stay in South Africa. The experiences were specially curated to give the agents a chance to experience that culture and the variety of memorable attractions that South Africa offers in & around Gauteng (Johannesburg & Pretoria) & North West (Sun City) provinces which was the coverage area of the fam trip while they sell the beautiful country as a top travel destination.
Unaware of the many robust attractions and world-class locations in South Africa, many tour operators have been limited in offering South Africa as a potential holiday destination to their clients due to negative mind-sets about the country. Through the hosting, the travel agents who went on the trip were able to see a different side of South Africa and also experience the warmth and diversity of her people. From the visit to the Lesedi Cultural Village to the trip to Soweto, home of the legend, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the travel agents had an opportunity to interact with South Africans who welcomed them with warm smiles and were also eager to share their culture with them. At the Lesedi Cultural Village, less than one-hour drive from Jo-burg, they encountered people of Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Ndebele and Basotho origin. From listening to individual cultural stories of the people, to tours of the local houses, the travel agents received a fuller picture of the South African heritage.
While exploring top tourist destinations like Gold Reef City theme park and Sun City Resort, a world-class resort that offers a wide variety of hotels, attractions and events, including the luxurious Palace of the Lost City where they stayed, the travel agents were also able to witness, first-hand, the fun side of South Africa. Boasting of many top tourist attractions with exciting activities, South Africa is a place to go and let your hair down, either alone or with family or friends. Individually or in a group, South Africa has something for everyone. There are also a wide variety of activities from mountain climbing to zip lining to suit different interests and passions. The travel agents were able to take part in these activities as they continued to explore South Africa during their the one-week visit.
Aside from the places visited and the activities they were involved in, the trade had a taste of indigenous South Africa food bursting with flavours and richness in palate. At Maboneng, which boasts of a wide selection of restaurants and artistic stores for visitors to enjoy, the trade tucked into sumptuous meals and they also had an opportunity to experience foot tour of the artistic environment, South African style.
Seeing the beauty in the natural landscape in South Africa while taking a tour of Johannesburg, the trade was convinced that South Africa is the top travel destination which everyone should experience. Conversations throughout the trip was centered around building the capacity of the trade and giving inputs to help them scale their travel business and offer competitive services to their clients.
According to Victoria, MD, Akenn Travels, “This was a huge privilege given us even as a relatively new business, we have taken this with both hands and commit to delivering on the purpose for which this hosting was put together.” while Ms Tina Tinachi, MD, Nje Tours says “The trip was amazing, fun & informative”
On a similar note, Mrs Folasade Adegboyega of Apeiron Travel & Tours confessed “I have been to SA a couple of times, but this experience was exceptional. There was so much to do & see that time didn’t permit us. South Africa is an AMAZING destination. I will sure visit & sell again and again.”
With South Africa as a top travel destination in their minds, the travel agents now understand the key highpoints of the country that their clients must encounter. What better way to sell a location as a potential holiday destination than to have first-hand experience of the fullness of what the location has to offer? The travel agents ended the tripped equipped to increase and diversify their offerings to their clients and curate the best experiences in the travel packages they offer to them.
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Mohammed Tanko, Jennifer Awoh, Ayo Makun, Hloni Pitso
Lagos: (June 17th, 2017) The most anticipated movie of the year, 10 days in Sun City is finally upon us. This time AY takes us on a journey to the beautiful Sun City in South Africa with fellow cast members – Richard Mofe Damijo, Adesua Etomi, Gbenro Ajibade, Mercy Johnson Okojie, Falz, 2face Idibia, Alibaba, Alex Ekubo, Yvonne Jegede, Annie Idibia, Uti Nwachukwu, Fathia Balogun and more.
The premiere took place this weekend on Saturday 17th June 2017 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. The movie is set to be released in Nigerian on Friday June 23rd 2017.
Aside the A-list Nigerian cast, the hilarious star-studded comedy, shot in Sun City: Northern West Province of South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria also features Miguel Nunez Jr. a Hollywood actor and an equally hilarious South African cast consisting, the sensational Amanda Du Pont, comedian Thenjiwe Moseley, Celeste Ntuli and lots more.
10 days in Sun City is directed by award-winning South African-based Nigerian Director Adze Ugah, written by award-winning writer-director Kehinde Ogunlola and produced by Ayo Makun, Darlington Abuda and Kirsty Galliard.
South African tourism, has an incredible passion for innovation, culture and community, and we’re happy to help bring alive this movie alongside The Sun International who hosted the cast and crew to a variety of treatments Sun City has to offer.
One of Africa’s premier vacation destinations, Sun City in South Africa is internationally recognized for its superb resort, offering of hotels, attractions and world-class events. From adventure sports and safari options to a world-famous golf course and a wide variety of rides and games, Sun City provided the perfect background for the cast to enjoy the experience of a lifetime. Perhaps one of the stand out scenes from the movie is the Elephant Sanctuary scene which features the stars having an interactive elephant experience. Some of the breath-taking scenes in the movie to look out for are: Hartebeespoort Dam, which is an hour away from Sun City. Locally known as Harties, Hartebeespoort Dam is as famous for its sunset cruises as it is for the Lesedi Cultural village, a world heritage site which showcases the fascinating cultures and tradition of the people of South Africa.
The scenes in Johannesburg, which is only two hours away from Sun City, showcases the famous Sandton City and the world renowned Nelson Mandela Square. Soweto also made for a vibrant and colourful background to the movie, sitting thirty minutes south-west of Johnnesburg, scenes were captured from Hector Peterson Memorial and Vilakazi Street where both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu lived.
South Africa continues to support increased economic cooperation between the Southern and Western African regions. This relationship is pivotal to maintaining an economically vibrant and resilient Africa that grows through partnerships between nations.
Mr Hloni Pitso regional manager for South African Tourism in West Africa, said of the partnership:
“South African tourism is delighted to partner with the AY on the production of ‘10 Days in Sun City’!
“We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr AY Makun on what promises to be yet another blockbuster production. AY is a passionate, determined, dedicated and hardworking individual. This time last year on one of South African Tourism’s influencer hosting trips AY saw opportunities as he travelled through out South Africa. He did not hesitate to seize the opportunity when he decided that this had to be a location for his next movie. A year later, we are here in Lagos for the movie premiere to watch the much anticipated movie ‘10 Days in Sun City’.
We saw this partnership as an opportunity not only to showcase South Africa as a holiday and business destination but also as a platform to encourage inter-Africa travel. It is important for Africans to explore their own land and discover its people. It is through travel and tourism that we can learn about each other’s historical and cultural heritages.
Tourism, entertainment, arts and culture are the key sectors that have the potential to unify this continent through people to people relations for the better advancement of Africa. We are seeing this more and more lately through music collaborations, comedy and now movies. I trust we will see more of such partnerships and collaborations. Africa united, only greater things can come.”
For more details on the variety of experiences visit southafrica.net.
Twitter: Travel2SA1 Instagram: travel2sa
Adesua Otomi
Didier Bayeye of Sun International Jennifer Awoh and Hloni Pitso (South African Toursim)
Hloni Pitso and Ayo Makun
SA Consul General Darkey Africa
