Popular for its jungle safaris and wildlife destinations, South Africa is now promoting mountains and other offbeat places.

South African Tourism on Wednesday invited Indian travellers, which account for 18 per cent of its international tourist inflow, to the Drakensberg mountains as part of the country’s initiative to promote leisure tourism.

According to Hanneli Slabber, Country Head, South African Tourism, the spread along places such as Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Lesotho, Mpumalanga and Limpopo province, Drakensberg mountains will offer tourists an opportunity to interact with at least 500 regional artists such as potters, shoemakers, weavers and buy their artworks.

“As part of leisure tourism, we are bringing the mountains into focus. South Africa is not only about wildlife. Drakensberg mountains will offer visitors a chance to experience the art and culture as well as adventure,” Slabber said here.

He was attending a training programme – Learn South Africa – for giving lessons on South African tourist destinations to the staff of various tour operators.

Slabber added that leisure tourism accounts for about 30 per cent of the country’s travel and tourism industry and it would boost the sector by opening new geographies.

South African Tourism also announced special family packages to specific destinations for Indian tourists.

The mountains will also offer many adventure activities such as abseiling, sand-boarding. Travellers will also enjoy the rich culture and architecture of the coastal plains of KwaZulu-Natal province.

Tourism industry has created more than five lakh jobs in the country and more such employment opportunities are expected to be created in the offbeat destinations, Slabber said.

ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in

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