Maropeng at ITB Berlin – photo essay

Maropeng’s very own mascot and tour guide, Harry the Hominid, is currently in Germany, promoting the Cradle of Humankind at ITB Berlin 2011, an international travel and tourism industry show.

Maropeng’s General Manager Erica Jago is also at ITB with the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) and has been telling visitors about Harry and Gauteng’s award-winning attraction, the Maropeng Visitor Centre. Jago says that competition in the tourism industry is tough, with the show hosting more than 11 000 stands from over 188 countries: “Competition in the travel industry is massive and visiting ITB Berlin is overwhelming. It probably takes you 20 minutes to walk from Hall 1 to 20 where South Africa is – that’s if you don’t get lost. In that time you soon realise that South Africa as a destination is competing with so many others. This is before you start talking about a province, city or product.”

GTA, therefore, wanted to present something unique and memorable, so they are getting visitors to interact directly with a cut-out of Harry and have a photo taken with this ancient human ancestor character. Jago says the response to Harry has been interesting: “People’s reactions have differed – some find him offensive and become quite aggressive towards us; others can’t wait to take their picture and share it with their friends.”

People at ITB Berlin 2011 who visit the GTA stand will be able to learn about the origins of humankind and can also win an incredible trip to the Cradle of Humankind. To enter, visitors need to have their photo taken with Harry the Hominid, just as many people have been doing since yesterday!

The stand has been really busy and even South Africa’s Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk came to visit Harry at the stand.

The following photo essay shows photographs of Maropeng and Harry at ITB Berlin 2011.