South African Tourism to sponsor WTM's Meridian Club

South African Tourism plans to use its sponsorship of Meridian Club, the leading club for the travel and tourism industry’s most senior buyers, to put the country at the forefront of the global industry.

South Africa’s successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ has helped to promote the country as a tourism destination to the world’s holidaymakers.

The sponsorship of Meridian Club is designed to reinforce this image to the travel and tourism industry and increase the number of buyers purchasing South African product at World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry.

South African chief marketing officer Roshene Singh said: “South Africa’s successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ not only showcased the country’s ability to host such major events but also the country’s diversity and beauty and the friendliness of its people.

“South African Tourism is sponsoring Meridian Club at WTM 2010 to build on the success of the World Cup and to make sure the industry’s top buyers increase their purchasing of South African product to fulfil the demand of the world’s holidaymakers to visit the country.”

Meridian Club marketing manager Mark Jakobsen said: “Meridian Club is delighted South African Tourism is sponsoring Meridian Club at WTM 2010.

“Meridian Club helped WTM 2009 generate more than £1,139 million in travel industry business deals. 2010 is poised to generate even more business for the industry. I’m confident South African Tourism will see a significant increase in its business at WTM through its sponsorship of Meridian Club.”

Meridian Club has 24,000 members with around 11,000 attending World Travel Market every year.