In order to expanding the Chinese market, the South African Department of Tourism has set up a Beijing Office.

The South African Tourism Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk said China is ont of the most important tourist markets for South Africa in Asia. Increase of 12.4% compared with 2008, Chinese tourists made a total of 45,326 visits to South Africa in 2009. He believes the Beijing Office will help South African Department of Tourism expand the Chinese market, improve its awareness in China and attract more tourists to know about, and to visit South Africa.

Mr Bradley Brouwer, the regional manager for Asia Pacific, said that the department is quite confident about the Chinese market. This new office will enhance cooperation and communication with Chinese travel media and professionals that are seeking for more diversified forms of cooperation to show Chinese tourists a real and beautiful South Africa.

Brouwer said the department will hold annual tourism promotion activities in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong in July 2010, providing a communication platform for tourism operators of South Africa and China to exchanges information and resources.