As a mark of respect to former South African President Nelson Mandela, whose death was sadly announced on 5th December, we created a picture montage of Mandela next to South Africa’s flag in our shop window here in Chorleywood.
Ultimate Destinations‘ Managing Director, Alan Haynes, said: “….Nelson Mandela was one of the most inspirational statesmen of our generation and South Africa became a place to visit because of him”.
UK Tour Operators have also paid tribute to Nelson Mandela for opening up the country to modern tourism. AITO chairman Derek Moore said: “He opened South Africa to the travel trade. If it hadn’t been for him, it might have taken years to calm down after the end of apartheid.”
Claire Farley, founder of Africa specialist 2by2 Holidays, said: “To say his impact on tourism to South Africa has been enormous is an understatement. In the 23 years since his release from prison, the number of tourists travelling to South Africa has increased threefold to over nine million a year.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has reviewed its advice to South Africa to reflect a national week of mourning for Nelson Mandela and warns of travel disruption and possible accommodation shortages in the Johannesburg, Pretoria and Eastern Cape areas. Official memorial services will be held in all South African provinces and regions. He will be laid to rest in Qunu, Eastern Cape, on Sunday.
