Atout France is to soon end its operations in South Africa.
The organisation has been in the process of reevaluating the international zones in which it operates and, after “due consideration”, decided to cease its physical presence in South Africa.
It will close its office in Johannesburg on February 29.
From March 1, Elise Bergerard (Elise.Bergerard@atout-france.fr) who is based in the Atout France office in Dubai, will be the point of contact for the South African trade.
Hélène Bezuidenhoudt, well known to the South African trade as the Atout France manager of the SA operations for 16 years, told Travel News: “It has been a privilege to work for 16 wonderful years as Atout France Manager of the South African representation, and I would like to thank the South African travel trade for your tremendous work and dedication to develop, promote and sell France as a tourist destination to South Africans. I have enjoyed every meeting, encounter, fam trip, discovery made with all of you. We have seen France maintaining and reinforcing its position as a firm-favourite destination.”
This is just an ‘au revoir’ to Hélène – she is not leaving South Africa. With all her years of experience working on the French Tourism account, she will continue to be involved in promoting France in her private capacity, and she can be reached on the same cellphone number as previously.
In July, the Paris Olympics 2024 begins.
