SOUTH AFRICA’S PARTICIPATION AT THE INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND TRADE FAIR (FIT) IN BUENOS AIRES ON 14-17 NOVEMBER 2009: A RESOUNDING SUCCESS.

The South African Embassy, with assistance from the South African Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), was privileged to be part of around 1700 exhibitors that participated in this year’s International Tourism Trade Fair for Latin America (FIT) that was held in La Rural, Buenos Aires on 14-17 November 2009. Around 50 countries participated in this year’s FIT and the South African stand at this Expo served to promote the country as an attractive tourist destination, while also profiling the country’s readiness to host the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup. The South African stand comprised of exhibitors (largely tourism boards) from various South African provinces (i.e. Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, North-West, Western Cape, Limpopo, and Northern Cape), as well as a number Argentine tour operators (Please see the list of participants provided below) that provide the actual packages for Argentine tourists planning to visit South Africa, especially in the context of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The South Africa’s participation at the FIT was graced with the presence of three MEC’s: one from KwaZulu-Natal Province, Ms Nomusa Dube- MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs and two from the Northern Cape Province, Ms Pauline Williams- MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, and Mr Alvin Botes- MEC for Social Services and Population Development. The South African stand attracted a high volume of media and public, and that provided the visiting South African delegates with an opportunity to interact with the local media thereby highlighting key issues around South Africa’s preparedness to host the World Cup next year, as well as issues related to their province’s tourism offerings. Of note was the presence in our stand of an eight-member Maskandi group from Clermont in KwaZulu-Natal known as Vumile no Jikelele, which helped to provide, through its brilliant and lively performances, the visitors to the South African stand with a glimpse of South African culture and the kind of diverse entertainment that will be available during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As such, the Mission is grateful to the Government of KwaZulu-Natal Province for assisting with key inputs for South Africa’s participation at the FIT, including the provision of the excellent Maskandi group, Vumile no Jikelele.

It is the Mission’s view that South Africa’s first-ever participation in this year’s FIT was a resounding success given the fact that the country had one of the most visible and most visited stand at this Expo. The FIT is considered one of the most important tourism trade fairs in South America, and it could be likened to South Africa’s annual Tourism INDABA, as well as other popular international tourism fairs such FITUR in Madrid, the recently held World Travel Market in London and ITB in Berlin. The FIT Expo this year attracted around 82.702 visitors in comparison to last year’s 80.324 visitors, which is 2,96% increase.

Four Argentines also won fully-paid-for return air-tickets to South Africa, inclusive of one week accommodation and ground transport services in both Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. As such, the Mission would like to thank the South African Airways, Johannesburg Tourism Company and the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism for providing this excellent opportunity to, hopefully, first time visitors to our country. Finally, the dti is also thanked for partnering with the Mission in this initiative that was designed to contribute towards the country’s broader objectives, which, among others, include: creating jobs, fighting poverty, and stimulating economic growth.

Please click here to view photos taken during the FIT

Please click here to know more about South Africa’s participation at FIT
Please click here to see the list of exhibitors that formed part of the South African stand at the FIT
Please click here to view the Ambassador’s Speech for FIT