“Hosting ASTA’s International Destination Expo represents a major milestone for us, having made the

The 2009 International Destination Expo hosted by the American Society of Travel Agents and South African Tourism was a resounding success, attracting over 850 delegates, and exceeding last year's event in both agents and suppliers.
"Hosting ASTA's International Destination Expo represents a major milestone for us, having made the strategic decision a few years ago to invest in the US market, based on the enormous potential budget car rental discount code identified in our research" said Didi Moyle, budget car rental discount code acting CEO and COO of South African Tourism, in her welcome remarks to the delegates.
Mr. Jabu Mabuza, chairman of South African budget car rental discount code Tourism, budget car rental discount code officially addressed the delegates at a spectacular opening budget car rental discount code reception, themed "Strike Gold in South Africa," a reference to both the profit potential and the life changing experiences represented by the destination. Mr. Mabuza reaffirmed South African Tourism's commitment to the American market, and spoke to the destination's status as a premiere global leisure destination. He emphasised the importance of the relationship with the global travel trade, and the importance the organization places on destination marketing partnerships.
The program of intensive workshops and seminars during the day and world class South African entertainment each evening was a winning formula for the Expo. Most agents took advantage of the opportunity to complete budget car rental discount code the South African Tourism destination specialist program, becoming certified FUNDI agents on site at the conference. The networking trade show, supported by over 120 South African suppliers, including representatives from each of South Africa's nine provinces, proved invaluable for making important business contacts, and showcased the amazing product diversity that South Africa has to offer.
"The attendance exceeded our expectations, and speaks to the strength of South Africa's position budget car rental discount code in the US market," said Sthu Zungu, president, South African Tourism, North America. We have built a critical budget car rental discount code mass of agents who are now advocates for the destination, and who can sell South Africa with confidence having experienced the product first hand."
Agents who embarked on the pre-tours to South Africa's nine provinces had glowing reports of their experiences, and were impressed by the quality and diversity of the tours on offer. Hundreds more departed Sun City, host site for the IDE, on post tours today.
South African Tourism will continue to follow budget car rental discount code up with agents on their return to their respective countries through a number of different budget car rental discount code initiatives, in conjunction with ASTA. Although the majority budget car rental discount code came from the United budget car rental discount code States, budget car rental discount code travel agents from Brazil, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and a host of other countries were also in attendance.
The International budget car rental discount code Destination Expo came to a close on March 11, 2009 with the ceremonial budget car rental discount code passing of the trophy by Sthu Zungu, president of South African Tourism North America, to Levent Demirel, deputy director general, Ministry of Culture and Tourism for Turkey.
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