Following on from the Australian launch of the Come Find Your Joy campaign from South African Tourism (SAT) earlier this year, the tourism body is promoting the destination as a safe, ethical, and affordable choice for Aussie travellers.

Addressing one of the most common concerns, SAT’s Acting Country Manager and Marketing & Communications Manager Yana Shvarts offered reassurance at a recent Club Med event in Sydney. “We get asked this question – is South Africa safe? And we say, of course, it’s safe, as long as you are smart about it, like you would be in any major city destination,” she said.

Travellers are advised to “stay aware” and to enjoy the well-worn tourist paths where “you won’t have any problems.”

Shvarts also pointed out that top-tier tourist facilities are designed to keep guests comfortable and secure. “The top hotels, lodges, Winelands and, of course, Club Med, make your safety and security top priority,” she said. “So you can comfortably rest assured that you’re safe and secure and enjoy an adventure of a lifetime.”

In addition, Shvarts stressed that South Africa welcomes those who travel with a conscience, with ethical wildlife tourism is front and centre of the offering. “It’s very important for South African Tourism that you’re travelling ethically with regard to wildlife,” she stated.

She outlined clear red flags to avoid. “Any ethical place will not have performing animals,” she stressed. “It won’t let you touch baby wild animals, predators or cetaceans… and it won’t let you walk with elephants or predators.”

Instead, visitors are encouraged to experience animals in their natural habitats. “The best way to see wildlife is in the wild, in their own environment, on their own terms,” Shvarts added.

And for Australians concerned about cost, South Africa offers unbeatable value. “The wonderful thing about South Africa is that the value for money is really second to none,” Shvarts explained. “Wining and dining will cost you about a third to a quarter of what it does here in Sydney.”