Sandton Central officially revealed its fresh new look at the launch of the first Sandton Central Tourist Kiosk today to assist visitors at one of South Africa’s top-visited tourist destinations.

Sandton Central Management District (SCMD) City Improvement Manager Elaine Jack, says, “Sandton Central is constantly evolving, growing, improving and innovating for those who live, work, invest, shop, stay and play here. Our new logo reflects this energy and our new tourist information services will ensure that visitors to Sandton Central can get all the very latest information.”

Strategically positioned at the Sandton Gautrain Station where most tourists arrive in the city, the Tourist Kiosk will be staffed by two of Sandton Central’s 12 new multilingual tourism ambassadors. They ensure visitors enjoy a warm, friendly welcome and a great visit to Sandton Central, and are also available to help at key tourism sites in the area.

Sandton Central’s tourism ambassadors are part of the City of Johannesburg’s Tourism Ambassador Programme, which promotes tourism information and safety in the city for leisure and business visitors alike. The initiative furthers several of the city’s key objectives: promoting tourism, attracting investment for economic growth and increasing employment with sustainable jobs and skills.

The tourism ambassadors will provide vital information to visitors to Sandton Central, and have also been trained in public safety. Of course, service excellence, customer care and communication are vital for this, and each tourism ambassador is well equipped with skills in these areas.

These young college and university graduates also received training to assist tourists in Sandton Central specifically from SCMD and several businesses in the area. All the ambassadors possess the most essential quality for the role – they are Joburg residents with a passion for their city.

What is more, the team of much-loved Sandton Central “Men in Red” will support the new tourism ambassadors on the ground.

The new solar-powered Sandton Central Tourist Kiosk is located in the piazza at the entrance to the Sandton Gautrain Station, on the high-profile corner of Rivonia Road and West Street. It will operate from 8am to 5pm weekdays, staffed by Tourism Ambassadors, and again from 7pm to 6am seven nights a week, staffed by Sandton Central public safety ambassadors.

The City of Joburg’s MMC for the Department of Economic Development, Cllr Leah Knott, who attended the launch, says, “The Sandton Central Tourist Kiosk is the first of its kind, and a fine example of how the city’s economic development team seeks to partner with businesses and community bodies to enhance overall service to our residents.”

The tourist kiosk proudly features the new Sandton Central logo. Barry van Wyk, SCMD Marketing Committee Chairperson, explains, “Sandton was first promulgated in 1969, and its new logo celebrates 50 years of this remarkably vibrant area. The new Sandton Central brandmark represents strength, movement, heart and energy. This is truly Sandton Central.”

SCMD manages the public urban spaces of Sandton Central, which is home to three business improvement districts, and is driven by commercial property owners to ensure the creation of an exceptional experience of this key node of Johannesburg for employees, visitors, tourists, shoppers, property owners and residents of Sandton Central.

Meet your Sandton Central tourist ambassadors:
* Winnie Machaka and Kabelo Matshaba will be at the new Tourism Kiosk at the Sandton Gautrain Station
* Aphiwe Sifumba and Tsakani Benita Nkuna will be at the Sandton Convention Centre
* Felicia Tau and Calvin Mohlala will be at the African Market along Maude Street and the Marc
* Dikeledi Mabotsa, Rirhandzu Nkuna, and Lwazi Hadebe will be at Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton City
* Bethuel Kgole and Kabelo Mosimane will be at Mushroom Farm Park
* Nolwazi Nkosi is an allrounder who will move between the above areas