Legenderry Impact On South Africa
Derry-Londonderry builds trade and tourism links in Cape Town with Clipper Race
Monday 3 October
Cape Town, South Africa
Representatives from Derry-Londonderry have been busy promoting trade and tourism in South Africa this week in a series of meetings, presentations and events alongside the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race in Cape Town.
Building on Derry-Londonderry’s position as the inaugural UK City of Culture in 2013, the key focus for economic development has been through tourism and promoting the city’s digital media and creative sector. This is seen as a strong business collaboration opportunity with South Africa.
Derry City Councillor, Gerard Diver said, “Derry is open for business and wishes to grow its international connections with digital, tourism and media interests. We are the inaugural UK City of Culture 2013 and have a transformation agenda that has already activated more than £50 million into the local economy. This is our time to look for new ideas and initiatives with international partners.
“We’ve identified a series of relationships that we wish to build upon and have met with almost 100 individuals and organisations during our visit. There’s a synergy between our approach to growing the digital sector with that of Cape Town and our business development team are encouraged by the interest and the response.”
On Friday the British High Commissioner, Dame Nicola Brewer, and the Irish Ambassador to South Africa, Brendan McMahon, participated in a tourism and business event hosted by Derry-Londonderry on Cape Town’s waterfront in partnership with Tourism Ireland.
“Promoting opportunities for trade and tourism alongside the Clipper Race is a great way to gain attention and open doors,” said the British High Commissioner to South Africa, Dame Nicola Brewer. “There are significant business opportunities here for those that take the initiative to meet with prospective customers and partners.”
The Irish Ambassador to South Africa, Brendan McMahon, added, “There is a strong Irish tourism message being marketed here in front of influential travel trade operators and opinion formers.”
Guests responded very positively: Vanya Lessing, chief executive of Sure Travel, with a hundred outlets across South Africa said, “This is a very novel way to attract attention. Global destinations are competing for visitors and this initiative has captured interest and encouraged us to see Derry-Londonderry in a new and positive light.”
The Derry-Londonderry entry in the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race is profiling the city on a world stage in 15 markets on five continents and will host the full race fleet in early July next year (2012). The Clipper Race was established 15 years ago by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail around the globe solo and non-stop in 1968-9. Clipper 11-12 is the eighth edition of the biennial race which is crewed by ‘ordinary’ people from all walks of life aboard a fleet of ten identical stripped down 68-foot ocean racing yachts sponsored by global destinations and organisations.
Sir Robin’s aim is not only to open up ocean racing to anyone – nearly half of the 500 ‘people like you’ who are taking part in the race had never set foot on a boat before starting their extensive training for the event – but also to create a global platform for sponsors to profile their destinations and promote business, tourism and culture.
Sir Robin, who is chairman of the Clipper Race, said, “Our sponsors raise their profile on the world stage with tangible benefits in developing trade, promoting tourism, sharing cultural experiences and involving their respective communities. It creates a powerful legacy.”
Derry-Londonderry will participate in a reception organised by the Clipper Race with Cape Town business and government representatives at the British High Commissioner’s residence this evening (Monday 3 October).
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