Cape Town will soon host the 2016 Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) Convention. The city, affectionately known as the Mother City, has been selected for its diversity and world-class tourism offering.

South African Tourism, a major partner of the Convention and AGM was chosen to host following a competitive tender. The event will be held from 16-19 August at The Westin Cape Town, and will feature the 2016 Awards for Excellence to be held at Durbanville Hills.

Capitalising on the opportunity of having over 60 ASTW members in South Africa, partners Wesgro, official trade, investment and tourism promotion agency for the Western Cape, will host the delegates on a variety of pre and post tours showcasing the very best of the Western Cape. These will include the Cape Overberg, Cape Karoo, Cape Westcoast, Garden Route and Klein Karoo, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands.

The Cape Town leg will include a city tour and sunset tour from the iconic V&A Waterfront, and a trip up Table Mountain. Members will also enjoy the Winelands with the Annual ASTW Awards of Excellence being held within the vines at Durbanville Hills Estate.

The itinerary will also include two nights in Gauteng, where members will experience Johannesburg's urban vibe and the townships of Soweto highlighting the range of enriching experiences that South Africa has to offer.

“Having the calibre and volume of writers, producers, editors and social influencers in South Africa from the ASTW is a great affirmation for our destination, and is extremely valuable in the promotion of our country within one of our largest international markets, Australia. We are looking forward to members experiencing our leisure tourism offering, while also having the opportunity to understand our capability of hosting large-scale conventions and events,” said Yana Shvarts, Acting Country Manager, South African Tourism Australasia.

“South Africa is a destination with warm welcoming people, breath-taking scenery and world class cuisine. These are some of the unforgettable memories that we are confident members will enjoy and take back to Australia to share with their friends and family.” concluded Miss Shvarts.

“What better way for South African Tourism to have an avalanche of stories generated on South Africa than to host over 60 members of Australia's most respected travel writers, and ensure that they each experience the very best that South Africa has to offer. We thank SAT for working with the ASTW on creating itineraries that will ensure the writers have all they need to share their stories with Australia,” said Danielle Lancaster, President 2016 ASTW Committee.

Australia's national airline, Qantas, is also a partner for the event, having provided members with an exclusive member fare.

To follow the Convention, join members at @ASTW, @SouthAfricanTourismANZ and @discoverctwc; and the conversation with #ASTW, #MeetSouthAfrica, #ASTWMeetSouthAfrica and #discoverctwc.

ENDS

For media inquiries, please contact:
Annike Morgan | PPR | 0411 425 549 | Annike.morgan@ppr.com.au

Website: www.southafrica.net

Register on our media extranet to browse the latest news releases (from SAT as well as the tourism industry in general), access the news archive and get details of all upcoming tourism industry events (both locally and internationally). http://www.southafrica.net/media

South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. It is headed up by Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms Sthembiso Dlamini

About the Australian Society of Travel Writers
Comprising more than 300 members, the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) has been the peak travel writing body in the country for more than 30 years. Members include writers, photographers, editors, radio and television presenters, filmmakers and public relations representatives who are professionally engaged to produce articles, reviews, photographs, stories and social media commentary on national and international travel destinations and experiences.