Who is Backpacking South Africa?

• BSA is a member-driven association - 160 members country-wide

• Trust formed in 1999

• Our purpose is to market South Africa and its regions as the best international backpacking and adventure destination

• National body – BSA Eastern Cape, BSA Western Cape, BSA Kwa-Zulu Natal

OUR MEMBERS INCLUDE

• Budget accommodation suppliers• Adventure & cultural tour companies • Transport providers• Language schools & education• Volunteer projects• Communication providers • Tourism services• Work and Cultural Exchange

BSA – Mandate1. To market South Africa (and its regions) globally as a preferred backpacker

destination, by offering distinctive, world-class backpacker experiences within a unique environment

2. To work towards the establishment of a professional backpacker tourism industry based upon accreditation and guidelines

3. To develop South Africa’s domestic tourism market within the backpacker tourism industry

4. To raise awareness and consciousness in South Africa and globally of the importance of South Africa as a backpacker destination

5. To improve the public perception of backpackers and thereby eliminate the stigma associated with backpackers as itinerant wanderers

6. To raise funds and/or obtain funding to achieve the aforementioned objectives

BSA - Achievements

In the last 2 years, BSA accomplished the following goals:

Received “government support”:

• BSA has received R2,2 million to attend international shows from the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in the last 2 years

• WYSTC 2007 was “a resounding success”

• 10 BSA members were sponsored R40 000 each to be part of SA 1st National Pavilion at WYSTC in Istanbul

• Cocktail evening worth R70 000

• WYSTC 2008 – New York

• WYSTC 2012 would be hosted by South Africa

Achievements continued….

2. We are endorsed by the Department of Trade & Industry

3. We are recognised by South African Tourism

4. StatisticsBackpacker Publication (the dti) and FRIDGE report sponsored by NEDLAC

5. Moola Magic Loyalty Program BSA’s no1 tangible benefit -R51000.00 worth of Sales since June 2006

6. Full-time employee

7. Membership increase of 30% since June 2007

8. Relationships with SA Embassies world wide

9. Members of ATA, APTA, WYSETC, NAA and FEDHASA

Why belong to BSA ? – FEW good reasons

1. South Africa’s premier hostel, adventure, language and volunteer network

2. Sharing information regarding the upliftment and improvement of our businesses

3. Policing bilkers and missing people alert

4. Creates opportunity to showcase our products at the best Youth & Adventure Travel Shows

5. For few Rands worth of membership we receive THOUSANDS of Rands worth of destination marketing

6. Being part of an association of which government has finally realized the potential and identified “Backpacking” as a niche market thereby assisted us with funding to compete with the likes of the Ozzies

7. Access to the world’ s cutting edge information regarding our travel sector

8. An executive committee that is dedicated beyond belief.  They are made up of true leaders

9. Moola Magic- members’ a loyalty program. Not only providing benefit to the members but to the backpacker who now saves heaps of money and stays with products that are members of the association

10. No other association that covers so many sectors

Why belong to BSA?

11. A great website – to be improved as and when the funds become available 12. Brochure with up to date information

13. No other organisation has so many members with community projects

14. Changing perceptions of people both locally and around the world as to :

• What youth travel in Africa is REALLY all about

• What we as BSA can offer the intrepid traveler by way of :

» Quality Budget accommodation» Amazing and unique adventures » Proven life changing Overland Travel» World leaders in Volunteer Tourism be it community or

conservation projects.» Language Travel experiences from Cape to Cairo learning

English, Swahili and Arabic

More ….

15. BSA is the right vehicle to drive Youth and Adventure Travel in Africa

16. BSA is an important part of the bigger picture, promoting our frequently overlooked industry to government

17. Four years ago, the dti did not know what backpacking is, in the last 2 years thanks to BSA, dti invested R2 million into promoting SA as the premier backpacking destination in the world

18. Lastly, the networking for business and then the sharing of common ideas and problems with colleagues who have the same problems is worth it alone

BSA – Members Benefits

• Marketing – Provinces; members; packages

• Travel Shows• Moola Magic• Map & Brochures• Website Exposure –

direct links; Moola sales

• Networking• Representation• Information & Stats

• Discounts:• 25% off TV License • Cheaper credit card rates &

credit card facilities• Discounts on Insurance• Discounts on Furniture

2008 & FUTURE OF BSA

• Increase membership in Southern Africa• BSA Chapters – Garden Route, Gauteng, Mpumalanga• Develop Routes • Increase membership benefits• 4 International shows per year – self-funded• Corporate sponsorship• 2 marketing publications per year – distributed locally and internationally• Develop and maintain the BSA website• Generate income through website advertising and Moola Sales• Moola Magic – increase awareness and sales• WYSTC 2012, Indaba 2009 etc• Transformation and BSA mentorship program

BSA is transforming into SAYSETC……

South African Youth Student & Education Travel Confederation