Question NW1016 to the Minister of Tourism
19 April 2016 - NW1016
Vos, Mr J to ask the Minister of Tourism
Does his department intend to cut down on the number of its SA Tourism offices located abroad with a view to preventing duplication of services; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which offices and (b) by what date?
Reply:
No, the department does not intend to cut down the number of SA Tourism offices.
(a) SA Tourism continuously looks at adopting the most effective operating model in each market that allows for maximum spend in-market, on both the traveller and trade. This approach includes setting up physical country offices in core markets, the hub approach, operating virtual offices, and General Marketing Agencies (GMAs). Any office closures are considered on this principle.
(b) South African Tourism’s physical office in Milan will be closed in the 2016/17 financial year to maximise marketing investments across the entire South Europe territory. The Italian market will be serviced through a virtual office reporting into South Europe Hub Office based in France.