If you know South African Tourism very well, you would already know that their second name is style. You would also already know that they like ‘showing off’ and that they like making bold statements. So for those who know South African Tourism very well, it wasn’t surprising that they put up an impressive appearance at the just concluded Accra Weizo in Ghana.
It wasn’t surprising that they stylishly distinguished themselves and very easily stood out from the crowd. In fact, this was expected and even anticipated. To a very great extent, South African Tourism, in their usual characteristic, did all of that and even more. They were fashionable, they were stylish, and they showed off, but there was a twist – they added some effizy.
In the past few years, South African Tourism has become very well known within the travel and tourism circle in West Africa, as the special one. They have grown to become the toast and the delight of delegates at various travel and tourism shows both within Africa and without. At every travel and tourism show, SAT’s exhibition stand has increasingly become the one that brings the flair and the one that wows.
The flair which South African Tourism has come to be known for, wasn’t in short supply during the just concluded Accra Weizo travel show which held at the La Palm Beach Hotel in Accra Ghana. The 5th Accra Weizo witnessed again, the usual show of style and effizy by South African Tourism at the annual event. And so with its signature ambiance, South African Tourism managed to steal the show as it has always done. Yes, they always steal the show!
Beyond sophistication and style, South African Tourism is also known for a lot of other things. Led by Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa, the Trade Relations Manager of South African Tourism for West Africa, the team at South African Tourism demonstrated a high level of commitment and even a higher level of friendship. The Regional Manager for West Africa, South African Tourism, Thekiso Rakolojane was also on ground to personally welcome guests to the stand and offer them the signature South African hospitality.
Over the years, models have formed part of the catch at every South African Tourism stand, the 5th Accra Weizo wasn’t any different. Dressed in colourful and visually appealing traditional South African costumes, the models drew delegates in and added more flair to the stand. They were charming, alluring, inviting, visually appealing and almost addictive. There was something special about them. You couldn’t visit the stand without taking a few photo shots with them. Even if you didn’t want to, you had to stop over at the South African Tourism stand.
South African Tourism stand virtually brought South Africa and its many tourist attractions to Ghana under one roof. By a way of animations and wall papers, they brought the famous Cape Town table mountain and other popular attractions to Ghana. They brought the skyline of Johannesburg, they brought the beaches of Durban, they brought Mpumalanga and they brought Kwazulu Natal. At the stand, you could feel South Africa’s rich and colourful culture as well as the beat of its cities, you could also feel the pulse and the rhythm of the Madiba country. Oh, they even brought Mandela, well, his statue.
In addition to business to business meetings, South African Tourism stand offered delegates great opportunities to socialize and reconnect with old colleagues and friends. There was wine tasting which culminated in one of the most exciting parts – lucky dip. I won a digital power bank. Several other prizes were won by delegates including hard drives, branded face caps, writing materials, clothing items and other freebies.
South African Tourism stand also played host to many very important dignitaries including the South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Madam Lulu Xingwana, the Organizer of Accra Weizo, Ikechi Uko, the Director General, National Council for Arts & Culture (NCAC), Nigeria, Otunba Segun Runsewe as well as Beauty Queens.
Perhaps, for many including me, the climax of the excitement was when Jackie Appiah stepped into the venue and made straight to the South African Tourism stand. Delectable and charming, Jackie Appiah is a Canadian born Ghanaian actress and one of the most loved and most watched Nollywood/Ghallywood celebrities, she has featured in almost 80 movies.
She’s one of the only few entertainment celebrities who have managed to stay away from public scandals. You can imagine how the atmosphere received fresh impetus when she stepped in. The stand which was already a beehive of activities, then became a mecca of some sort. That was when South African Tourism brought effizy to their stand.
I’m not into celebrities, I’ve never been into them especially those of them in the showbiz and entertainment industry. But if I’m ever tempted to have a celebrity crush in the entertainment circle, it would definitely be Jackie Appiah. I love the way she interprets her roles with creativity and delivers her lines with grace and confidence. Her humility off the screen is also remarkable. It was definitely worthwhile having her spice up things at SAT stand.
If you ask me how many exhibition stands were at the 2019 Accra Weizo, I would say two – South African Tourism stand and others. Alright, I’m just kidding, there were several other beautiful exhibition stands at the travel show. However, South African Tourism exhibition stand stood out in more ways than one.
It’s not rocket science, neither do you need a soothsayer to come to the conclusion that South African Tourism stand was, by far, the best stand at the 2019 Accra Weizo. It received the highest number of visitors and offered the best guest experience.
Indeed South African Tourism brings distinctive stylish elegance to travel and tourism shows. They bring certain attractiveness that stimulates your wanderlust instincts and makes you want to visit South Africa. And the 2019 Accra Weizo wasn’t any different. They brought style, they brought charm, and they impressed with effizy.
South African Tourism (SAT) is the tourism marketing arm of the South African government. Currently operating in 13 international markets, SAT promotes and markets all that is unique, warm, and beautiful about South Africa.
By Chidozie Uzoezie
Source: afritraveller.com
