Saudi tourists and businessmen have found South Africa an alternative destination, thanks to South African tourism planners. Airline industry experts, in a meeting organized recently by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expected that air travel between Saudi Arabia and South Africa would grow, with Johannesburg establishing itself as a popular leisure and business destination for Saudi travelers. “The air travel industry is a very important tool for promoting South Africa and therefore we are pleased to work closely with Etihad Airways in Saudi Arabia and other markets in the Middle East,” Mahdi Basadien, South African consul general in Saudi Arabia, said. He added that they and the Etihad Airways have been success partners. The South African community in Saudi Arabia and in the Gulf is expanding rapidly, with an estimated 100,000 nationals spread through the GCC. With some 13 flights per week from Dammam to Abu Dhabi, Saudi travelers will find it easier to reach Gauteng (Johannesburg), meaning “Place of Gold” in Sotho which is also known for being the commercial and industrial powerhouse of South Africa. Maen Abdul Halim, Etihad's regional general manager for the Middle East and Africa, said the route has a very positive future, particularly the huge interest being created by the football World Cup 2010, which provides a great opportunity for Saudi travelers to fly to South Africa and explore the unique environment and wildlife. Following the Abu Dhabi-based airline's recent increase to its Johannesburg flights, Saudi-based air travelers can now fly daily to South Africa from the capital of the UAE, connecting conveniently from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. __
