High-Profile UK Stars Back South Africa
Cape Town, 30 October 2012
South Africa’s marketing efforts in its biggest long-haul tourism market, the United Kingdom, received a major boost today as some of the UK’s biggest 1980’s music artists shared their experiences of the country as part of Virgin Atlantic's promotion of its new festive season London-Cape Town route.
Virgin Atlantic’s SA Country Manager, Simon Newton-Smith, stated at a press conference in Cape Town today that the festive season London-Cape Town route is expected to carry 31 000 tourists from the UK into Cape Town this season and generate over R280 million to the Western Cape economy. Over 420 000 UK tourists visited South Africa in 2011.
The direct London-Cape Town flight was announced on 18 October 2012 and daily flights will be available on this popular route from the beginning of November 2012 until the end of April 2013.
“Virgin Atlantic is back in Cape Town for the 13th consecutive year now. We’re expecting to bring over 31,000 UK tourists to Cape Town on this seasonal route, exposing a lot of Brits to what we know is the best city in the world,” Newton-Smith said today.
Virgin Atlantic is promoting the festive season route by sponsoring the Rewind 80’s Festival, which will see artists such as Rick Astley, Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, Belinda Carlisle, Imagination’s Leee John, Nik Kershaw, ABC’s Martin Fry and the Human League performing three concerts in South Africa this week. The artists flew into South Africa on Virgin Atlantic’s London-Cape Town flight and they will perform two shows in Cape Town this week and one over the weekend in Gauteng.
“We know South Africa is on the bucket list for hundreds of thousands of UK tourists; the big question for everyone is always how they get here. This is why we’re particularly excited about this flight from Virgin into Cape Town, on the back of our UK tourist numbers increasing by 5.5% in the first six months of 2012, during which time UK tourists spent over R1.2 billion in South Africa,” South African Tourism’s Chief Marketing Officer, Roshene Singh, said at the press conference.
“And for us, as we look to promote South Africa as a lifestyle destination, having the Rewind 80’s festival here is the perfect fit. Word of mouth is the biggest way of marketing our country and its' great having some of the UK’s biggest music stars here, sharing their experiences in South Africa,” Singh added.
For Rick Astley, who sold 40 million records worldwide with major hits in the 80s such as “Never Gonna Give You Up’, ‘Whenever You Need Somebody’ and ‘Together Forever’ , experiencing first-hand the ‘natural and obvious beauty people instantly think of when they think about Cape Town’ was a major highlight, as he sat with the majestic Table Mountain peering out behind him.
“I’ve got South African friends and neighbours back in the UK, who are good fun and very friendly, and that’s what I’ve experienced in Cape Town, where we have been so warmly received by everyone,” Astley added.
Tony Hadley, whose hit ‘Gold’ was the theme song for Team Great Britain at the recent London 2012 Olympics, said he had come to South Africa many times before, but it was ‘unbelievable’ how much the country had changed for the better over the years.
“There’s a historical connection between South Africa and Great Britain and it’s getting stronger and stronger. The hospitality of the South African people has been fantastic and so has the food, and I have really been enjoying my cob and kingklip. We’re going on a wine tour, which I am really looking forward to. I am here with my family and we’re really looking forward to having a great time in South Africa,” said Hadley.
Another who is no stranger to South Africa is Leee John, whose hits with Imagination such as ‘Just an Illusion’, ‘Body Talk’ and ‘Music and Lights’ are hugely popular in South Africa.
“I first came to South Africa on tour with Atlantic Starr many years ago and it’s such a beautiful country. There’s something really warm about being here and performing to such receptive audiences. There’s just a ‘vibe’ to this place as soon as you get here and it’s a really special place for me to come,” said John.
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing, Grant Pascoe, said: “Tourism creates over 200 000 jobs in the city and the UK is a key market which we’re looking to grow. So this partnership (with Virgin Atlantic) is a very important one for us”.
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Issued by Kallaway on behalf of South African Tourism
For further information contact:
Susannah Glynn at Kallaway
Tel: 020 7221 7883
Email: Susannah.glynn@kallaway.com
Juan Herrada at SA Tourism
Tel: +44 20 8971 9350
Email: juan@southafrica.net
Website www.southafrica.net
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About South Africa
Nearly half a million visitors from the UK are drawn to South Africa each year, lured by its rich history, vibrant contemporary culture, scenic beauty and wildlife. The country’s iconic attractions include Mvezo, the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, cosmopolitan Cape Town and the 5.2sq mile Kruger National Park. South Africa was the first country in the world to include Responsible Tourism as part of government policy and for almost 20 years has acted as a major driving force for change in the sector. The visitor to South Africa can expect an unparalleled authentic experience, accommodation which is sustainable as it is stylish and affordable getaways which don’t cost the Earth.
About South African Tourism
South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. In the UK it is headed up by Destination Manager Lungi Morrison.
South Africa Tourism at World Travel Market 2012
Visit SAT at Stand AF500 at World Travel Market this year for a chance to meet celebrity adventurer Charley Boorman, discover what the destination’s responsible tourism ethos has to offer visitors and hear from the Minister of Tourism about the organisation’s plans for the future.
For more information on WTM and media interviews contact Susannah Glynn at Kallaway (susannah.glynn@kallaway.com; 020 7221 7883)