"Team South Africa" consolidates

THE main players in tourism have been assembled by the Board of Airline Representatives of SA (Barsa) in order to address perceptions of South Africa by visitors both in leisure and business markets. Barsa, representing airlines flying into South Africa as well as off-line airlines, is acting as the interface between industry and government. Attending a meeting recently were SA Tourism ceo, Cheryl Carolus; Satsa ceo, Gail McCann; Fedhasa executive director, Willem Fick and Acsa ceo, Monhla Hlahla. The president of Barsa, Don Hunter, said that South Africa is on the 'brink of exploding as a key player in tourism’ and that "Team South Africa" is determined to enhance the growth and marketing of South Africa overseas. The aims are, amongst others, to modernise customs procedures, upgrade airports, improve statistics etc. SA Tourism's focus will be on improving marketing strategies, improving tourist numbers and spend, length of visits and the geographical spread of tourists. (Jo-Anne King)