Asian markets show recovery

Source: Bradley Brouwer, 11/12/2015

SA will see growth in Japanese arrivals from October 2015 onwards,
says Bradley Brouwer, President: Asia Pacific, SA Tourism.


Following a dramatic decrease in Chinese, Japanese and Korean tourist
arrivals to South Africa over the last two years, all three markets
are now showing clear signs of positive growth, says Bradley Brouwer,
President: Asia Pacific, SA Tourism. He adds that the SA tourism trade
should make the most of this opportunity and "not be caught
sleeping".


Looking at the last two years` arrival figures, Chinese arrivals to SA
fell by 23.3% in 2014 compared with 2013. By July 2015, these arrivals
were already down by 29.1% compared with 2014, says Brouwer.


In the first eight months of 2015 the total number of Japanese
visitors to SA dropped by 29.6%, compared with the same period in
2014. Korean visitor arrivals have already decreased by 23.9% by July
2015 compared with 2014, while they fell by 7.6% in 2014, compared
with 2013.


Ironically, these severe declines followed impressive growth in Asian
tourist arrival figures in the years leading up to 2013. Speaking at a
recent seminar in Stellenbosch, Brouwer ascribed the declines to SA`s
visa regulations and xenophobic attacks, the Ebola virus, the Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak and South African Airways`
cancellation of its non-stop service between Johannesburg and Beijing
in March 2015; all three of these markets use Beijing and Hong Kong as
access hubs.


However, with SA`s visa regulations being relaxed, as well as the
launch of Air China`s non-stop service between Johannesburg and
Beijing via codesharing with SAA in October 2015, the picture is
becoming rosier. China has become the world`s largest outbound tourism
source market and the country with the biggest outbound tourism
consumption, while in Korea prospected growth for the travel industry
is 5% to 8%. The Japanese economy is also expected to strengthen
slightly due to a low unemployment rate, rising wages, a weak yen and
low oil prices. Brouwer is positive that SA will see "huge growth in
Japanese arrivals from October 2015 onwards".


When attracting Asian tourists, Brouwer said the trade should bear in
mind that safety and security, good value for money and impeccable
service were still key. "These markets are also very sensitive towards
communicable diseases, and especially Japanese tourists need
reassurance about personal safety and hygiene."


Sharing tips on how to make Asian tourists feel welcome, he suggested:
flying their national flags outside hotels as they arrive; providing
free Internet access as well as welcome signs, menus, brochures and
visitor notes in their languages; and being punctual, respectful and
courteous. "Let them feel that you value their business, e.g. when a
large group arrives at your hotel, ask your GM or another person in a
senior position to welcome them."


For Chinese tourists specifically, Brouwer`s advice was to offer: hot
water and green tea; chopsticks; congee breakfast or Chinese food if
possible; small courtesy gifts on arrival; easy access for currency
exchange; and notes in Chinese on how to dial numbers for services.