Dear Traveller

It is a new year in the Western World and I venture to say that all eyes will be on China this year from a tourism perspective. Chinese travelers are becoming more and more prolific all over the world yet Africa still only attracts about 3  percent of all global Chinese tourists. In this issue we have a look at the reasons behind this and how we can make our beautiful continent with all its treasures a more attractive destination for the Chinese visitor. One shining example of successful marketing is The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, South Africa. This historically important monument was awarded the overall gold winner award at the China Outbound Tourism and Trade Market in Beijing in 2013. There were five categories for achievement, each with a bronze-, silver- and gold award. Nearly 50 percent of all Chinese visitors to South Africa come to the Monument, which they view as one of their preferred destinations.

I also write about the wonders of Thailand in the second of three installments. This time we visit Elephant Hills, deeply hidden in the tropical jungles of the Khao Sok National park in southern Thailand. We wash and feed elephants and explore and emerald rainforest and the biggest man-made lake in Thailand – truly breath-taking…

Closer to home in Africa, we visit Tanda Tula Safari Camp in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, adjacent to the Kruger Park in South Africa.  The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve came into existence in July 1956 when a group of game farm owners on the western boundary of the Kruger National Park formed the Timbavati Association. Set on the banks of the Nharalumi riverbed, Tanda Tula is shaded by stately trees and overlooks a water hole that attracts a wide variety of game from dawn to dusk.
One of the most luxurious tented safari camps in southern Africa, it has only twelve tents, and personal attention is simply a matter of course.
The thatched en-suite tents are imbued with the romance of Africa. Wide wooden decks and spacious bathrooms with Victorian baths and outside showers are reminiscent of a bygone era.

And finally we have a look at how the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa created the Hilton Huanying, a tailored experience for all travelers of Chinese origin. The Hilton Worldwide program, inspired by the Chinese word for "welcome", enables travelers to book at Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa and other participating hotels, knowing the properties will meet cultural needs and expectations of Chinese travelers abroad.

So enjoy this January 2015 issue of Africa Travel and until we meet again in February, Bon Voyage!

Jo Kromberg