South Africa voted Best International Family Destination at 2019 Travel+Leisure India Awards

Renowned for its wildlife-driven holidays and adventure capabilities, South Africa received yet another vote of confidence as the Best Family Destination (International) from Indian readers of Travel + Leisure.

Commenting on the win, Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head for Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, South African Tourism said, “Family dynamics in India are similar to those in South Africa; hence we recognise and understand the value of vacations that offer opportunities to rejuvenate while strengthening relationships. At South African Tourism, we have done away with cookie-cutter holidays and one-size-fits-all itineraries as every family seeks unique and distinctive experiences. Utmost emphasis is placed on the quality and quantity of experiences we can offer these families and this award is a testament of faith that only encourages us to continue to push the envelope.”

South Africa is the perfect getaway for Indian families simply because it has it all: world-class safaris, adventure activities for adults and kids alike, breath-taking beauty, pristine beaches, well-equipped and exciting resorts, diverse and vibrant shopping, food and nightlife options that make it a joy for travellers of every age group. The destination also has a wide range of activities to offer in close proximity. It is here that families can enjoy an action-packed itinerary without having to look too far.

“It has been observed that Indian families travelling to long haul destinations look to derive the most out of their trips to new destinations. They prefer having a full itinerary consisting of a wide range of activities that allow them to explore new places while still enjoying some family time away from their usual busy lives. Hence one of our key focus areas this year is to go beyond the immensely popular Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and surrounds and create awareness about new destinations such as Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Port Elizabeth, the Drakensberg region and the Panorama Route within the consumer and trade spaces. These are picturesque areas where travelers can pack in a lot of action into shorter time-spans.” Nkani added.

The tourism board is actively invested in promoting these family-friendly offerings in their source markets. In fact, a ‘Come to Cape Town’ campaign will be launched in January 2020, inviting kids to stay free-of-charge when their families visit the Western Cape province. This campaign follows the announcement made by the Minister of Home Affairs, doing away the need for unabridged birth certificate previously required by minors visiting from international countries.