NELSON MANDELA BAY THROUGH THE LENS OF A MEDIA INFLUENCER

Journalists and film crew from TVB - J2 arrive in Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa and welcomed by Addo Elephant Back Safari Lodge

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) in the last few months have increased and refined their hosting skills of influential visitors to the Bay. In the last few months NMBT has collaborated with South African Tourism (SAT) to host prominent national and international media houses alongside influential media representatives.

In order to stimulate tourism growth, NMBT has collaborated with SAT to host media and influencers in the destination throughout the year in a cost effective manner. Hosting media as a promotional tool has proven to be a successful cost effective strategy in which to market the destination on a global platform.

Through hosting media representatives whose readership and viewership are aligned to Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s strategic objectives and target markets a platform is created to reach the intended consumer market.  These media tours allow for journalists and influencers to encounter our destinations offerings and interact with our people firsthand allowing them to share an authentic experience with their audience turn into the destinations future visitors.

Ms Mandlakazi Skefile, Chief Executive Officer of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism emphasises; “The strategic relations we forge with media through hosting destination excursions in collaboration with SAT lead to exceptional cost effective marketing opportunities that enable economic growth through the tourism sector.”

Media have reported that through the possibility of being able to immerse themselves into the culture and daily life of a destination they are able to convey an experience which entails the energy and the essence of a destination. This is most vital as travellers now are in search for an experience and through learning about the journalist’s authentic experience are more motivated and compelled to visit the destination.

NMBT does focus on providing an itinerary that can be unique to the destination and tailored to the needs and requests of the journalist and their audience. Most popular for NMB will be the family friendly environment, beaches, malaria free wild life excursions, Mohair tours, culture and heritage.

In order to optimize the reach and influence the market in China NMBT recently hosted a media crew through Africa Panda for the “ TVB -J2- fun Abroad”   television channel and segment. Here the crew filmed wildlife opportunities and encounters with Addo Elephant Back Safari’s as well as the volunteerism programme of Danielle Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre. Up to 300 000 young future travellers were exposed to Nelson Mandela Bay and the offerings available in order to entice them to visit.

NMB in August again collaborated with Sony Television to broadcast the destinations cultural offerings, Route 67 as well as wildlife and luxury accommodation through a show called “Weekend Out”. This show is broadcast on the Sony TV international feed and is seen by over 10 million viewers in the Middle East, Sub Continent, US, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand. 

For the domestic market NMBT recently hosted influential Idols SA judge and renowned choreographer Somizi Mhlongo.  Through this collaboration with SAT, the destination was again afforded flight time on a lifestyle show called Real Gaboza as they documented Somizi’s Sho’t Left experience in NMB. In addition through social media Somizi was able to share with over 250 000 thousand followers on instagram and facebook what he got up to whilst in NMB and introduced future visitors to the attractions and activities on offer that included boutique hotels, spa treatment facilities, restaurants and nightlife, Heritage and Culture as well as the Big 5 game viewing experience.

Ms Mandlakazi Skefile, NMBT CEO confirmed; “Through hosting media and extending the broadcast and print platform that NMBT can utilise to showcase the destination  the positive outcome for minimal budget expenditure far exceeds outdated and previously traditional manners of advertising and therefore the potential reach of the audience is optimized.”