CEO of SA Tourism, Thulani Nzima, has written a letter reassuring Indaba delegates and foreign nationals of their safety in SA following recent acts of xenophobic violence.

As Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, I wholeheartedly condemn the xenophobic attacks taking place in the various locations in our country. It has a negative impact on our country’s image as a welcoming tourist destination. As South African Tourism, we continue to promote tourism through our warm and welcoming people. We wish to reassure all Indaba delegates and foreign nationals coming into South Africa that our country is safe for you to visit.

As further testimony to our commitment in strengthening relationships on the African continent, the National Department of Tourism, led by Minister Derek Hanekom, will at this year’s Indaba host Tourism Ministers from the rest of the African continent on Friday the 8th of May 2015, to kick start a Pan-African tourism Indaba 2015.

Tour operators, tourism boards and destination marketing organisations from across Africa are confirmed for Indaba 2015, affirming their confidence in the INDABA offer. The following destinations will be well represented on the tradeshow floor: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, the Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, the DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria and Niger State, Réunion, Rwanda, Senegal, the Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

I personally extend the hand of friendship to you. I look forward to seeing you next month and showing you the travel and tourism industry and, indeed, the nation that welcomes you; values your contribution and regards you as a friend and partner in growing tourism on our continent.

Yours in Tourism,

Mr Thulani Nzima, Chief Executive Officer South African Tourism.