ITTN’s Katie Doyle was delighted to attend the South African Tourism appreciation media lunch in The Wren’s Nest restaurant in Dublin yesterday.
Guests were treated to a fantastic meal of Irish food with a South African twist accompanied by South African pinot grigio and pinotage wines.
The day was expertly hosted by Ewelina Turek, South African Tourism; Elisa Urdiales Perez del Molino, South African Tourism; Mabet van Rensburg, Counsellor Political, South African Embassy; and Charlene Hiscock, Information Office, South African Embassy.
There are some exciting updates coming for South Africa in 2025, based on results achieved in the previous 12 months that the South African Tourist Board and Embassy team excitedly shared.
First of all, The South African coastal metropolis has been named the best city in the world for 2025 by publishing giant Time Out.
Now focused on blending their popular safari experiences with luxury options, the South African embassy and tourist board is focused on developing and expanding three key results garnered from 2024:
First of all, they saw a 3.3% increase in tourism growth from Ireland, welcoming over 24,900 visitors from Ireland. This doesn’t take into account their busiest tourist season in December, the results of which we excitedly await. With affordable airline options with Norse Atlantic Airlines direct from London Gatwick, new transport options are paving the way for a bigger increase in Irish tourism to South Africa in the coming 12 months.
Secondly, there has also been a huge increase in first time travellers coming to the country in the last year. The team tells us that they usually see a general increase in repeat customers as travellers come to South Africa once and are excited to return almost immediately. This trend now marks a new era for South Africa travel as new clientele put the country on their bucket list.
Thirdly, there has been a big increase in female travellers to the country- seeing a 48% growth compared to previous years. This demonstrates a turning point in how South Africa is seen on the world stage as a destination that’s safe and welcoming to female tourists, travelling in groups or on their own.
Reiterating what South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa said in his speech at Davos this week, H.E. Nicolette Schreiber, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa said: “Even if you do not participate in [the G20 related meetings] I’d invite you to come and see South Africa for yourself, the most beautiful country in the world.”
