Leveraging the state visit of President Jacob Zuma, South African Tourism‘s China office held “The Tourism Round Table Activation” event on 24 August 2010 in Beijing.

Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism highlighted to key industry stakeholders the successes and lessons derived from hosting the 2010 World Cup event and the tourism focus beyond the tournament.

More than 100 tour operators, travel and lifestyle media and executives from multinational companies across China were invited.

The visit of President Zuma highlights the strengthening cooperation between the two nations including the signing of a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership aimed at deepening and broadening bilateral relations. The visit also demonstrates the importance that South Africa attaches to its political, economic and cultural relationship with China.

South Africa’s trade relations with China have expanded dramatically in recent years, with China becoming South Africa’s largest export destination by market since the start of 2009. China remains South Africa’s largest partner with regard to imports. Trade and tourism are often closely correlated.

“The World Cup was a phenomenal success and positioned South Africa to the world as a capable, friendly, welcoming, exciting nation and hence a great place to visit. Many people understand that South Africa has become a globally noteworthy destination for leisure, business and big event tourism,” said Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

Minister Van Schalkwyk

He added: “South African Tourism is confident that it will attract 10 million foreign visitors in 2010. The 2010 FIFA World Cup will contribute to this number, but will not be the sole driver of arrivals. Excellent service and a welcoming attitude enriches the diversity of our tourist offerings and enhances the experience of being a tourist in South Africa.”

The world-renowned STAR grading has been introduced in South Africa, lead by The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). TGCSA is a business unit of South African Tourism, responsible for the administration of the STAR grading, and is the only officially recognized organization that authorizes accommodation establishments to display Quality Stars.

There are over 8,000 star graded establishments in South Africa. Travel to South Africa to experience quality and cost effective leisure and business accommodation facilities, providing a “Home-Away-From-Home” experience with world-class conferencing facilities for the visitors in South Africa.

“China is definitely a very important source market for South African Tourism, ” said Mr Bradley Brouwer, Regional Manager:Asia Pacific, South African Tourism.

SA Tourism’s Bradley Brouwer

“China arrivals to South Africa totaled 45,326 from January to December 2009 which was a 12.4% increase compared to 2008. China arrivals numbered 18,928 from January to April 2010 and it represented a 40.2% increase compared to the same period in 2009. In 2010, China became one of the fastest growing overseas markets for South Africa in Asia. South Africa is still quite a new travel destination to the Chinese people. So we see the Chinese market as having great potential.”

2010 is a critical year for both South Africa and China. South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup and China is currently hosting the World Expo in Shanghai – both global events. The target of the South African Pavilion in the Shanghai Expo was to welcome 10 million visitors during the whole 184-day Expo duration, which has been achieved in only 88-days.

The Expo as a whole has attracted over 100 million visitors.

The South African Pavilion at the World Expo, Shanghai. Read more about the Pavilion here

Images from the recent Tourism Workshop in Hong Kong:

China may not have made the cut as it were for the 2010 Football World Cup Finals back home, but that didn’t stop these Chinese “Doedies” (girls/xiao jie/mei mei/小妹妹) from showing their allegiance to the 32 nations taking part in South Africa.

Maybe I was a little distracted, but I couldn’t put my finger on all the nations portrayed on the SKII-toned skins of our cutesy models.  For example, which one represents the Dutch?

Can you help out?

(Click on the the Flickr slide-show below or here and add you selection to the Comments section)

(PS. I normally don’t post what some would consider ‘racy’ pics, but in the spirit of the World Cup, I categorized these as “Moderate” in the Flickr album. For this reason, the slide-show may now be available, in that case go directly to our Flickr-page here)

Following hot on the heels of the successful Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament, the RHKYC boatyard and docks were buzzing with activity with crews loading provisions and gear.

The reason?  Thursday, April 1 saw the start of the Rolex China Sea Race. 

This year is the 25^th edition of the Rolex China Sea Race, which was first run in 1962, and has been held every two years since then. In 1972, it was officially recognised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, and is now run under their prescriptions. The race has continued to attract increased interest and serves to draw the international yachting fraternity to Hong Kong and Southeast Asia .

(Continued below, advertisement for SA traffic)

The sea gods came to the party sending the Rolex China Sea Race fleet off in a light southeasterly breeze and a fair tide towards the finish off Subic Bay, Philippines, 565 miles distant.

Earlier in the day, it was not so promising, but the breeze eventually filled in and the fog burned off to produce a colourful start just off the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in Victoria Harbour . The 30-boat fleet started in a 6-8 knot breeze, which increased as the bigger boats approached Shek-O rock. This year, all divisions went off in one start, providing a spectacle with Hong Kong ’s towering buildings providing a dramatic backdrop.

The Rolex China Sea Race fleet set off from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour (Pic:Rolex/Daniel Forster)

All you armchair-sailors out there will be happy to know that Pole Star and SkyWave have joined forces to provide a web-based tracking facility for the event. Shore-based fans can follow the racing online at:

www.rhkyc.org.hk/chinasearace/tracking.htm

(Pictures courtesy of RHKYC/Rolex/Daniel Forster)

Although only about a week old, SA 2010 Ambassador Mark Fish’s baby daughter is already making ripples on the other side of the world.

On the day that we were supposed to attend a media conference with South African 2010 Ambassador Mark Fish, the Hong Kong media was alerted that the press conference was cancelled due to the birth of Fish’s baby-daughter.

As I’ve mentioned before, there are two things dear to the Chinese heart: one is their food with the other being their kids; and not always in that order.  The latter showed during the unveiling of the 2010 countdown clock.  The MC started his questions (see video) to the former Bafana Bafana (SA soccer team) player with a question about his baby.  I also heard two other reporters start their questions with the same issue. 

The local English daily’s sports reporter Alvin Sallay, though of Sri Lankan descent, was not left out and he filed the following story in the South China Morning Post the following day: 

(click on the pics to open larger image) 

South Africa won the 2009 Hong Kong Cricket Sixes title in the most dramatic fashion at Kowloon Cricket Club on Sunday evening as Farhaan Behardien smashed a six off the final delivery of the tournament to down a gallant Hong Kong . 

Set a total of 98 runs to win the title for a third time, the South Africans left it late to claim the trophy – and the first prize of US$55,000 – when Behardien thumped Mark Wright’s final ball into the stands to the delight of his team mates. 

The defeat was a cruel blow for a Hong Kong side that had impressed throughout the competition and who went into the final having won all six of their previous matches, including two against South Africa. 

Cheered on by the majority of the crowd at Kowloon Cricket Club, the home side were put into bat for the first time in the entire competition after the South Africans won the toss.  Hong Kong made a disappointing start to the final, however, losing captain Najeeb Amar with the first ball of the game and then creeping tentatively through the opening overs. 

Star man Irfan Ahmad was next to go when he holed out to Rory Kleinveldt off the bowling of David Jacobs for just seven runs – his lowest score of the tournament – in the second over with 17 on the scoreboard.  Nerves looked to have taken hold of a Hong Kong team that was opening the batting for the first time in the competition.

The pressure to set a substantial total was threatening to take its toll, but Munir Dar steadied the ship for the home side alongside wicketkeeper Hussain Butt, with Dar eventually retiring with an unbeaten 31 runs.  Butt scored 24 before being caught by Behardien off the bowling of Coetzee while Tanwir Afzal claimed 20, only to be run out, but by the end of their innings Hong Kong had set a respectable target of 98 runs for South Africa to win. 

The South Africans started confidently enough, claiming 21 runs off the first over from Dar, but a spectacular spell from Tanwir Afzal put the result back in the balance.  The 21-year-old picked up the wicket of Loots Bosman with his first ball and, two balls later, Kleinveldt was heading back to the pavilion after being bowled. By the end of the over, Jacobs had joined Afzal’s casualty list, leaving South Africa on 32 for 3.

However, the South Africans steadied the ship until the final over, when Mark Wright claimed the wicket of David Wiese to set up a grandstand finish. 

Seven runs from the next four balls left South Africa needing six off the final ball to win the title, and Behardien duly obliged, dispatching Wright’s half volleyed delivery over the boundary.  There was some consolation for Hong Kong ’s Irfan Ahmad, who won the Ben Hollioake Trophy – which is awarded to the competition’s leading player – as a result of his performances throughout the weekend.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand handed Australia a comprehensive defeat to win the Plate competition, winning by five wickets when they successfully chased down a total of 69 runs to pick up US$13,000 in prize money.

Alvin Sallay’s article in Monday’s South China Morning Post (Pic: Oliver Tsang)

Feast you eyes!

Took me a day and a half.

Made in Hong Kong, SAR of China,

Using Aussie beef (I hate to add).

Do you know of any biltong/wors makers in Hong Kong?

Let us know will you?!