South Africa to host 2009 ASTA International Destination Expo
Dec 20, 07 | 8:55 am
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the world's largest association of travel professionals, has chosen South Africa as the destination for the 2009 International Destination Expo (IDE), March 8-12, 2009.
The decision to host the event in South Africa was a unanimous one on the part of the ASTA Board of Directors, who made this decision during their annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in November. South African Tourism, South African Airways and Dragonfly are the main sponsors of this event and will work together to provide a 4-day workshop at Sun City a Sun International Property to over 1,000 agents. In addition, South African Airways will offer special industry fares for IDE participants.
"We are honored that ASTA has chosen to recognize South Africa by allowing us to host the 2009 International Destination Expo," said Sthu Zungu, U.S. President of South African Tourism. "Hosting the nation's most powerful travel organization means that the upper echelon of American travel professionals will be exposed to both South Africa and our national carrier, South African Airways. We are confident that they will see firsthand all that South Africa has to offer as a travel experience unlike any other."
"South African Airways has always understood the importance of travel agents and believes that there is no more important travel industry group than ASTA," said Marc Cavaliere, Executive Vice President of South African Airways in North America. "We know that agents traveling to IDE will be impressed with both the country and the level of service they will be afforded flying SAA. Furthermore, we sincerely hope to continue our good relationship with all of the travel agents that are members of ASTA and work closely with them to help bring more and more visitors to South Africa every year."
ASTA is the leading advocate association for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public at large. It is also the largest association of travel professionals in the world, with 20,000-plus members including travel agents and tour, cruise, hotel and car rental companies in the United States and abroad. IDE is the industry's most rewarding and valuable destination-focused event.
"Every year we choose a new and notable destination to host IDE," said Cheryl Hudak, CTC, ASTA President & CEO. "It was only fitting that we choose to highlight a country as vastly experiential and dynamic as South Africa in 2009, just one year away from the FIFA World Cup in 2010. All eyes are on South Africa now, and we think our members will be excited to learn more about selling this exciting destination."
South African Tourism is the organization mandated with the international tourism marketing activities of the country. For travel and tourism information on this world-class destination, the ideal place for both business and leisure, contact South African Tourism at 500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2040, New York, NY 10110; Tel: 1-800-593-1318; Fax: 212-764-1980; email info.us@southafrica.net or visit www.southafrica.net.
South African Airways features the only nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with daily departures from Washington, D.C., and daily direct service from New York that offer travel convenience and award-winning service. Customers in premium class enjoy 180° flat-bed seats with individual entertainment systems, and customers in economy class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors and individual on-demand entertainment systems. SAA's unrivaled network, featuring connections to more than 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 20 cities across the rest of the continent, make the airline the savvy traveler's "gateway to Africa."
As a member to the worldwide Star Alliance, South African Airways is able to offer its customers 855 destinations in 155 countries and more than 16,000 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 25 cities in the U.S. through code share service with Star Alliance partner United Airlines. Members of United's Mileage Plus, US Airways' Dividend Miles and Air Canada's Aeroplan programs are able to earn and redeem miles on all South African Airways flights. For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit www.flysaa.com.
The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business. www.asta.org.
