Tourism Citichat 10 September 1999

CITICHAT No 30/99 – 10 September 1999


Tourism

The last two Citichats have included "Ten Myths about Downtown Revitalisation" which was originally published in Downtown Idea Exchange, one of a number of city related publications we receive. I did mention this in both Citichats but the publishers have drawn to my attention, quite correctly, that the agreement between them and the CJP requires us to state the following: "Reprinted with permission of the publisher - Downtown Idea Exchange; 215 Park Avenue South; Suite 1301; New York; NY 10003, USA. Telephone (212)228-0246 Fax (212)228-0376

e-mail: info@alexcommgrp.com " My apologies!

This morning's Business Day, Friday September 17, runs a story on the Government's tourism action plan. This is in the form of a joint venture between public and private sector bodies to promote South Africa internationally as a tourist destination.

My wife and I had to attend a Denominational Synod in Pinetown last week and she suggested that instead of driving or flying, we go by train. It would give us a much overdue opportunity to relax together and she thought it might be quite romantic for an old man like me. So we booked on the Trans Natal which leaves Johannesburg at 18.30 and arrives the next morning in Durban at 08h00. When we boarded the train we received our first shock. The coupe we had been allocated was absolutely filthy and didn't appear to have been cleaned for aeons. The very pleasant conductor moved us to an empty four berth compartment which was in far better shape and less cramped but still decidely grubby. Next shock was supper - the dining car was a "BJ's" which offered only typical fast-food fare, rather ethnic, meat and pap. wors and pap, etc. My request for a wine list was answered by an invitation to look through the bar's fridge to see if I could actually find a bottle of dry white wine. I eventually found a bottle of off dry. The also very pleasant barman told us that we were the first people ever to order wine on that train which was why they didn't carry an ice bucket! I ended up having to open the bottle myself as our equally very pleasant, waiter had never used a corkscrew before!

Now I'm sure you're not interested in the Fraser family travels but why I'm relating this story to you is because of the story on tourism action in today's paper as referred to earlier. Having travelled by train in the UK, Europe and the United States,if we as a country are supposed to have tourism (which should include internal tourism as well as from outside the country) as one of our top priorities. I shudder to think of any tourist being exposed to South African train travel (outside of the Blue Train) if this is what we offer. The people were all very nice but the experience was a disaster. We flew back!

To add insult to injury one Sunday paper, under a caption of; "COME TO SOUTH AFRICA - AND SLEEP WITH SOMEONE'S WIFE" reports on a Cape Town businessman's initiative to bring European 'swingers' to South Africa to 'swing' with local couples. The report advised that our National Tourist Agency, Satour, one of the partners in the Government's tourism action plan, applauded the proposal as one which would encourage tourism and an opportunity for foreigners to enjoy our alternative life styles. Satour is reported as having said it is such a good idea that it has resolved to begin researching the market itself! All I can say is I hope they make them all travel by train!

This brings me to the research we have been doing into promoting Gandhi Square onto the tourist itinerary for the city. We found that the Tourist associations were unable to assist us in providing lists of tour operators so we had to do a search for ourselves. We eventually traced 16 operators whose reaction to the Gandhi story ranged from great interest and excitement to total indifference "we do not recommend that tourists go to the city!". It appears generally that a high percentage of local tour guides are simply driving visitors through the city on the way to Soweto. An article I was sent which appeared in an Australian publication on the 18th July this year confirms this. Under the by-line "Postcard from Johannesburg" the writer says; "I was a bit apprehensive going into Soweto, and Wonga, my driver, did nothing to settle my nerves. He was more scared than me, but it wasn't Soweto he was worried about. He feared central Johannesburg, which you might have thought was a war zone from his reaction. We drove from my hotel in safe, upmarket Sandton, to the central city to meet other people going on the Soweto tour and poor Wonga was in a state. "You drive through here with your doors locked, night and day," he said, "They will kill you and take your van" The same Satour who is heading our private/public tourism thrust also actively instructs visitors not to come to the city, yet is investing in research into how "alternative sexual behaviour" can be a drawcard to South Africa.

Well, its no good moaning, you can only deal with this sort of thing by doing something positive to change perceptions. So we will be opening a tourist office on Gandhi Square which will offer the Gandhi Johannesburg Story as well as some local art and other fun things ("I survived Jo'burg City" tee shirts!) We are arranging a tourist bus parking area and the Square is protected 24 hours a day by our security officers so we will be actively promoting tourism to the inner city. We hope to be opening at the end of October. Watch this space.