Ranked the most popular city in Africa, Johannesburg is the ideal gateway for travellers into Africa.
- Connectivity
Laura Vercueil, Spokesperson for Johannesburg Tourism, says Johannesburg offers the best connectivity info Africa – by air, road and rail. According to Vercueil, OR Tambo International Airport is one of the few airports in the world that has non-stop flights to all six inhabited continents. “It is Africa's busiest airport with a capacity to handle up to 28 million passengers annually,” she says.
“There is no other airport in Africa that compares, in terms of passenger numbers, with over 18 million passengers per year passing through OR Tambo,” says Onne Vegter, Founder and CEO of Wild Wings Safaris. He adds that travellers can reach top destinations such as Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta, Mozambique's islands, Cape Town and the Garden Route within just two hours’ flying time.
“Jo’burg beats all other regional airports for choice of airlift. And with more regular passenger traffic passing through Jo’burg, air lift is more reliable as a result. This is a very important aspect when one sees other airports start a new air service only to see it cancelled after just a few months,” says Jim Holden, President African Travel Inc.
Chris Zweigenthal, CEO Aasa, agrees that OR Tambo offers some of the best connections and adds that the fact that SA has a strong national carrier is a major plus. However, he warns that Johannesburg’s hub status in Africa is under threat from the Gulf and Turkey. “Competition is increasing as all the Gulf carriers, as well as Turkish Airlines, offer seamless connections into Africa as well.”
- Modern state-of-the-art airport
“OR Tambo International Airport is definitely one of the country’s prize assets and a leading service provider on the continent,” says Vercueil. Vegter says the airport’s facilities are a big draw for travellers. “The quality of the facilities and infrastructure at OR Tambo are world-class, particularly after the latest round of upgrades and renovations.”
Zweigenthal says OR Tambo is, without a doubt, the strongest and most well developed airport in the region with state-of-the-art facilities. He says although Addis Ababa and Nairobi also offer strong hubs, they are currently not as powerful as Johannesburg, but he warns that these airports are up and coming and could eventually replace Johannesburg as a hub.
- Modern state-of-the-art city
Johannesburg is the most powerful commercial centre on the African continent.
Vercueil says the city’s leading infrastructure, commercial and financial services, supported by competitive and sophisticated tourism, leisure and hospitality facilities and service providers. make it the continent’s leading travel hub. She adds that. as a multi-cultural city that is home to people from all over the world, cosmopolitan Jo’burg is vibrant, versatile, welcoming and is geared to host and serve visitors from anywhere in the world.
“Johannesburg is a hub as well as a central point for business,” says Zweigenthal, adding, however, that economic growth has slowed down over the past few years, which will have an impact on passenger numbers.
- Largest hub in Southern Africa
OR Tambo services over 50 airlines to approximately 100 destinations, locally, regionally and internationally. Vercueil says the size of the airport is definitely an important factor when considering hubs. “Increased size makes for increased capacity and convenience for travellers in terms of more bays for airliners and quick, easy access for passengers.”
Although size is important, according to Vegter, flight access is even more significant in order to attract travellers. “The number of flight connections more than the airport size is what makes an airport an important gateway. As airports develop and upgrade, the physical size is simply a product of how busy the airport is.”
- Gautrain
The Gautrain encourages travellers to opt for Johannesburg. “It gives travellers who have time on their hands the option to explore the destination quickly, with ease and convenience,” says Vercueil.
However, Vegter argues that, although the Gautrain is very convenient, he’s not convinced it is an incentive by itself. “[I]n combination with other incentives, like the wide choice of accommodation options, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as excellent air and road connectivity, it may help to tip the scale in favour of Johannesburg.”
Holden says, for those in the know, the Gautrain is convenient when staying at a hotel close to the station. However, most tour operators prefer to use contracted transport to ensure the safe passage of their clients in and around Jo’burg. He says safety is still a concern for US travellers.
- Rich history
The city’s fascinating history and its ongoing transformation and development make for a diverse range of leisure activities and experiences on tap throughout the city and surrounds, says Vercueil.
Holden agrees and says that a quick stop in Johannesburg offers travellers a good understanding of Africa’s history before continuing on safari.
- Visa-free
The fact that SA is visa-free for a number of traditional source markets, contributes to Johannesburg’s hub status. Vercueil says the absence of complex issues and time delays is appealing to all travellers.
SA is very passenger friendly for Americans, who don’t require visas, says Holden, adding that the recent child entry requirements also don’t overly inconvenience Americans, who usually have the necessary paperwork before deciding on a trip.
“A destination like Johannesburg really benefits from not requiring visas for many key source markets. As a long-haul destination, one doesn't need additional barriers such as the costs and hassles associated with visas,” says Vegter.
However, Zweigenthal warns that the current visa restrictions for markets such as China, are a disincentive for using Johannesburg as a hub. He urges the South African government to simplify the visa situation without compromising on security aspects.
- Interesting attractions
Johannesburg has a number of interesting attractions nearby: “Part of Johannesburg’s appeal as a gateway destination is its proximity to not only city attractions but also its lifestyle, sporting, country, bush and safari experiences close by,” says Vercueil.
Vegter agrees there are numerous diverse and unique tourist attractions in the vicinity of the airport, such as Soweto, the Apartheid Museum, and Maropeng and the Cradle of Mankind. “Lots of activities and day tour options are available from the airport, including wildlife and cultural experiences.”
- Safari options abound
Many guided tours and safaris for overseas travellers start and end in Johannesburg because the city is within easy reach of key local destinations such as the Kruger National Park, Sun City and Madikwe Game Reserve, says Vegter.
Holden agrees and adds that, with the strong dollar, luxury lodges are within reach of an increasing number of US travellers.
- Affordable accommodation
Jo’burg offers value for money and a diverse, broad range of accommodation facilities and transport options to suit all tastes and budgets. Vegter says there is a wide variety of accommodation, restaurant and entertainment options, even within a 5km radius of the airport.
