Latest news with #ThembisileSehloho
Zawya
05-08-2025
- Zawya
South Africa glamping boom opens new frontier for sustainable tourism
South Africa's glamping sector is gaining momentum as travellers increasingly seek immersive, eco-friendly experiences that blend luxury with the outdoors. This growing trend is not just about upscale camping — it represents a vibrant way to connect with the country's diverse landscapes and communities, from the Karoo's wide-open skies to the lush vineyards of the Winelands. The recent inaugural Glamping Expo in Johannesburg highlighted how this style of tourism supports rural development and small business growth, aligning with broader goals for sustainable and inclusive travel promoted by the G20. Thembisile Sehloho, chief marketing officer of South African Tourism, spoke at the event, describing glamping as "where the untamed spirit of Africa meets curated comfort." "As we welcome the world for the G20, we are proud to showcase how tourism can be a force for good, directly contributing to the resilience and hope symbolised by our national flower, the King Protea – the emblem of our G20 Presidency. We invite the world to look beyond the ordinary and discover an experience deeply rooted in our land, one that promises adventure and a profound sense of peace," Sehloho said. What sets South African glamping apart? Beyond the comforts of a king-sized bed or a private hot tub under the stars, South Africa's glamping experiences carry a unique character shaped by the country's extraordinary biomes. "South Africa's glamping destinations reflect the country's extraordinary diversity. Local and international visitors aren't just camping in a nice tent; they're waking up to the magic of a unique biome," said Sehloho. The offerings span multiple regions and styles, including luxury tented suites like Sindile at Shamwari Game Reserve in the Bushveld, riverside tents such as Camp Canoe at Boschendal in the Winelands, and the vast silence and starry skies of the Karoo at AfriCamps. Sleeping under a blanket of stars The Northern Cape and Karoo's vast unpolluted skies offer exceptional stargazing. At !Xaus Lodge in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park — a community-owned site — visitors enjoy raw and uninterrupted nature. Meanwhile, Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve features 'Star Suites,' open-air beds that offer direct views of the Milky Way. Glamping styles for all adventurers South Africa caters to a broad range of travellers: • Safari purists: Classic tented camps in private reserves across KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Eastern Cape offer intimate Big Five experiences. • Off-grid innovators: Futuristic geodesic domes and glass-roofed cottages, such as the Nightjar Dome near Machadodorp, combine technology with off-grid serenity. • Coastal souls: Clifftop tents along the Whale Coast or serene riverside stays like Wolfkop Camping Villages in the Cederberg provide opportunities for swimming, canoeing, and disconnection. "Glamping is tourism that uplifts communities and protects our natural heritage. We cannot wait to welcome the G20 nations and travellers from around the globe. We invite them to discover our little-known dorpies, go off the beaten track to see something special, and support small towns in new ways. South Africa truly awaits. Come find your joy through glamping," Sehloho concluded. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Star
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Roundup: African countries eye Chinese tourist boom to drive travel industry revival
JOHANNESBURG, May 16 (Xinhua) -- African countries are looking to attract more Chinese tourists as part of broader efforts to revive and grow the continent's travel industry, delegates said at one of the continent's largest tourism trade shows. At Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, held from Tuesday to Thursday in Durban, South Africa, Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Tourism Tongai Mnangagwa said the country has a "Look East" policy and is leveraging its long-standing ties with China to boost tourist arrivals from the Asian country for business, medical, and leisure purposes. "The Chinese market is growing and the fact that they have over one billion people makes them our target source market, with a certain age group interested in traveling. Inquiries are being made about Zimbabwe and they are coming," he said. He said a group from China's Hunan Province has confirmed plans to visit Zimbabwe, noting that the presence of Chinese businesspeople in Zimbabwe is drawing their friends and relatives, further reinforcing inbound travel. "We are working with organizations which are based in Zimbabwe and owned by the Chinese nationals who are bringing Chinese tourists in groups from different provinces. All these people, when they go back, will be our billboards or ambassadors telling others about our country," he said. South African officials echoed similar sentiments. Thembisile Sehloho, chief marketing officer at South African Tourism, said that targeted efforts like the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme, which simplifies visa processing for Chinese and Indian nationals, are helping boost arrivals. "I can confirm that there was some significant increase in Chinese and their buyers coming through, which aligns with our strategy of growing arrivals from India and China," Sehloho said. "The buyers from China were interested in cultural immersion and we spoke a lot about cultural and leisure tourism. Cultural tourism will get us volumes and leisure tourism will get us value. We will use the two to sell our country." Namibia is also ramping up its engagement with China. Sebulon Chiliho Chicalu, chief executive officer of the Namibia Tourism Board, said the country will soon launch a dedicated China strategy and increase its representation in China to four locations. "China, as a source market, remains one of our targets and we would like to attract many Chinese to visit our country. China and Namibia do a lot of business together and we would like to capitalize on that. We will hold roadshows in three cities of China to market Destination Namibia," Chicalu said. Tourism leaders stressed the scale of the opportunity. Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, chief executive officer of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, said China remains the "largest outbound tourism market in the world," and African destinations must position themselves to benefit. "We saw a large delegation from India and China at Africa's Travel Indaba. That is positive. We have been working on that for a long time," he said. "We need to have large footprints on those two markets. The buyers from India and China were looking for products, services, and experiences we offer." "South Africa and Africa have to make a value proposition to the Chinese and Indian market. It presents a huge opportunity and we have to take advantage of it," he added.
