Joburg Tourism hosts Trade and Networking session with Seychelles Tourism Board #Welcome2Joburg
23 September 2022

As Tourism Month wraps up, the Joburg Tourism Company (JTC) and the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) are thrilled to host trade and media at a networking session with the envisaged goal of finalising a collaborative marketing initiative to boost tourism growth in both destinations.

The parties are hosting a trade and media networking event at the @Sandton Hotel on Friday, 23 September to introduce the proposed partnership to the industry, showcasing both destinations’ tourism offerings and sharing travel packages and itineraries on offer.

“The primary purpose of the initiative is to leverage on Johannesburg’s position as a gateway to the Seychelles by air travel to connect with the rest of the world - increasing visitor numbers and length of stay in the City,” explains Thato Davidson, Acting CEO, Joburg Tourism Company. “From our perspective the idea is to tap in the markets from Europe, the Americas and Africa that frequently visit Seychelles with a desire to extend their visit to Joburg, by offering affordable and competitive travel packages.”

“Tourism Seychelles remains open for collaborations and partnerships with its tourism trade partners, and the agreement with Johannesburg Tourism, will no doubt increase the marketing efforts of both companies, collectively working together to collaborate on marketing activities, tourism campaigns and travel trade promotions, aimed at increasing each other’s market share in an industry which is very competitive. We are excited and motivated about this partnership,” says David Germain, the Tourism Seychelles Regional Director for Africa & the Americas. Seychelles national airlines operates a flight schedule between Johannesburg and the Seychelles.

The JTC and STB trade and media networking session aligns perfectly with Tourism Month activities to celebrate the significant socio-economic role that tourism plays as a key economic sector in both countries.

The networking session provided a showcase of attractions in both destinations - including lifestyle events, shopping, medical and business offerings in line with the localised theme, “Rethinking Tourism - Opportunities await”.

Tourism month is celebrated annually in South Africa to highlight the country’s diverse tourism offerings as well as sector’s significant contribution to the local economy. Inspired by United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), World Tourism Day celebration on 27 September, tourism month provides a platform to the South African sector to celebrate, reflect and commemorate its milestones in relation to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Image: Thato Davidson, Acting CEO, Joburg Tourism Company