Tourism Award for Eastern Cape

2008/05/14

undefined undefinedBy LERATO MATSANENG

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undefined undefinedTHE Eastern Cape Tourism Board had something to cheer about at the Tourism Indaba in Durban when the province and Lesotho were judged to have the best stands at the annual expo.

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undefined undefinedThe gold medal was awarded to the two in the provincial category and judges took into account aesthetics, messages, branding and perceived interaction with delegates.

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undefined undefined“We are very pleased that the judges have recognised what we were trying to achieve through this design. Our efforts have paid off and we are very proud to be associated with this image,” said Eddie Marafane, acting chief executive officer for the Eastern Cape Tourism Board.

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undefined undefinedThe Indaba is an annual tourism marketing event and the largest in Africa. It showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa’s best tourism products and attracts thousands of international visitors and media.

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undefined undefinedThis year there were over 1800 exhibitors and 12900 visitors. The event finished yesterday. undefined undefined

undefined undefinedThe Eastern Cape’s winning entry cost R1.7 million, with R1.2m set aside for construction and R500000 for promotion.

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undefined undefinedIt measured 233m² and stood 4m high, and will be used for the next two years. undefined undefined

undefined undefinedAuthentic Eastern Cape crafts covered the stand to give it a Xhosa look and feel, while Xhosa women entertained the crowd with traditional songs and dances.

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undefined undefinedMarafane said although the board had done well at the Indaba, there was still more they could do to promote tourism in the province.

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undefined undefined“We want to be able to participate on an international platform and to boost tourism in the domestic market,” said Marafane.

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undefined undefinedHe added that R44m of this year’s R64m budget will go towards marketing and destination development.

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undefined undefined“It was important that the provinces were able to interact with delegates through their stands and viably promote their products,” said Indaba organiser Zaida Enver.

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undefined undefinedNamibia won platinum and the Northern Cape took home the silver award.

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undefined undefinedMeanwhile, South African Tourism and Indaba Explorations won World Travel awards at the expo.

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undefined undefinedSA Tourism was named best destination marketing organisation in Africa and Indaba Explorations was named Africa’s leading travel exhibition.

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undefined undefinedThis was the first time the awards included an Africa category and each of the 75 African winners would be represented at the annual world finals in the Caribbean in December. —

Additional reporting by Sapa

Source: Daily Dispatch undefined undefined

Article posted on 13 May 2008
Supplied courtesy of Veliswa Mhlapo.