Welcome Award 2007 entry deadline looms

SOUTH African Tourism’s deadline for 2007 Welcome Awards entries is December 15. The awards, launched by Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk at Indaba 2005, are aimed at raising the level and standards of customer service within the tourism industry. “The awards also aim to enhance visitor experience, as this is a fundamental issue to the growth of tourism,” says Moeketsi Mosola, SA Tourism ceo. Entries are invited across four categories, namely: travel agencies, tour operators, accommodation establishments and tourist guides. The partners of the 2007 Welcome Awards initiative include the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa), the Association of Southern African Travel Agencies (Asata), the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Deat). An addition to this year’s mystery tourist programme will be the inclusion of a public opinion survey, where local and international tourists will be randomly contacted for comment, either telephonically or via email. The award ceremony will take place at Indaba 2007 in May next year. Entry forms can be downloaded from the South African Tourism website www.southafrica.net. Natalia Thomson (nataliat@nowmedia.co.za)