BRICS Summit revitalizes South African tourism
Adorned by brightly coloured banners and national flags of the participating nations of the on-going 10th BRICS summit, Johannesburg beckons foreign visitors to stroll on its bustling streets. The 2018 BRICS summit has been giving the capital city a new life during the generally tranquil weather of July.
The streets witness people taking selfies with the colorful signs that are hoisted on the sides of streets around the Sandton International Convention Centre, where the event is being hosted on July 25-27.
Foreign delegates are delighted to ride on Johannesburg’s electric tram and visiting the elegant shopping malls where aristocratic restaurants and boutiques are lined up.
Apartheid Museum
One of the favourite spots for the foreign delegates is the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, which bears all the hallmarks of South Africa’s freedom struggle, which gave way to the end of colonial domination and racial discrimination.
Golden works of Nelson Mandela, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others,” are inscribed at the entrance of Apartheid Museum whose elegant interior and exterior designs have always fascinated visitors.
The Apartheid Museum depicts South Africa’s past struggle with colonial domination, injustices and racial segregation while highlighting the dawn of an independence era marked with racial integration and just rule.
Cape Town, the mother city of South Africa has more to offer to a tourist. The pleasant weather, coupled with its picturesque scenery like the world-renowned Table Mountain has lured a large number of foreign tourists during the BRICS summit.
Table Mountain
Fernando Cardoso, a Brazilian national, has seen so excited at the foot of Table Mountain as he gathered his family to take selfies.
“As citizens of the BRICS countries, it is important to travel to the other country, which can deepen the understanding of each other’s history and culture,” said Fernando.
Tang Qing, a Chinese national from Shandong province who was in a 42-person choir that participated in an international singing competition in South Africa, said the country’s scenic attractions were very uplifting.
“South Africa is far away from China, but her beauty has attracted many Chinese people. Moreover, the tourism experience in South Africa is great,” said Tang Qing, a Chinese national from Shandong province.
A recent study from the multinational auditing firm, Price Water House Coopers (PWC) revealed that tourist arrivals from BRICS nations increased by 6.1 per cent in 2017, which was higher than the average of all tourist arrivals in the country.
Officials say the BRICS summit in South Africa will inject new vitality for the country’s tourism sector.
The 2018 BRICS summit is the tenth annual BRICS summit, an international relations conference attended by the heads of state or heads of government of the five member states Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
