South African Tourism’s ‘Mega Lekker’ kicking goals

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1740001989787{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]South African Tourism is currently hosting the second annual instalment of its ‘Mega Lekker Escape’ famil for travel advisors from Australia and New Zealand, culminating at Sun City in North West Province. As was the case last year, the 2025 destination showcase has more than 100 travel advisors and media split into smaller groups which have explored the seven provinces of South Africa, hosted by Africa specialist wholesalers.

Collectively, the 10 groups crossed the entire width and breadth of South Africa, from the major cities and their surrounding districts, to a multitude of game parks and private reserves.

Making his first appearance to ANZ trade since returning to South African Tourism as COO in January, Darryl Erasmus lauded the education initiative for enticing advisors who had never been to South Africa, to come see what all the noise was about.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”170398″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1739824681287{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1739823032197{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1605829610747{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1739823269279{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1740002170990{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]”That for me is a massive achievement,” Eramus said last night at Sun City.

Eramus was previously SAT’s Chief Quality Assurance Officer in the Tourism Grading Council business unit, a title he held for five years until 2020.

Elaborating, the tourism expert said “this achievement is also very important because in our post COVID recovery, there was close to a 40% churning in travel trade people across the globe,” referring to the widespread impact of the pandemic on the travel and tourism sector, as experienced advisors left the industry.

“That meant that there’s also a huge gap in understanding and the knowledge of South Africa as a destination.”

“It’s crucial for us as South African Tourism to get you here and to enable you to experience this destination firsthand. We do that because we know that it establishes a deep connection, a deep appreciation, and an understanding for our magnificent country.”

Eramus said that the newfound knowledge gained by travel advisors helps them “overcome any pre-conceived challenges they might have around barriers, and giving confidence to travellers who want to come to South Africa.”

South Africa Tourism Chief Operating Officer highlighted the “growing impact” of the Mega Lekker Escape initiative, disclosing data collected from participants of last year’s event.

“The results speak for themselves. Within the first three months of the agents returning home, 40% of them had already booked trips to South Africa [for their clients].”

“A year after, 90% of those travel trade people had booked to South Africa. So it tells you the initiative is working.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”170399″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1739823894832{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1740002179606{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]In 2024, almost 100,000 Australians visited South Africa, a 14% year-on-year increase, while New Zealand’s growth was even greater, up 25% on its pre-COVID levels. Eramus flagged South African Airways’ “triumphant return” of flights between Johannesburg and Perth in May 2024 for helping fuel antipode visitation.

South African Tourism expects the Australian visitor number to increase further in 2025.

This year’s Mega Lekker Escape comprised 150 trade and media, 51 South African exhibitors. Erasmus cited the success of the initiative on the “true collaboration” between tourism boards, brands such as Sun International, Rovos Rail and South African Airways, along with many other partners.

Lead image: Darryl Erasmus, COO, South African Tourism addresses travel advisors and partners in Sun City during the Mega Lekker Escape on Sunday night.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1560229304502{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]

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