SA is "the most beautiful, friendly place to visit" says CNN's Richard Quest
SA is "the most beautiful, friendly place to visit" says CNN's Richard Quest. Photo: Twitter / Richard Quest

Home » SA is “the most beautiful, friendly place to visit” says CNN’s Richard Quest

SA is “the most beautiful, friendly place to visit” says CNN’s Richard Quest

CNN presenter Richard Quest has thanked Cape Town and South Africa for a “wonderful assignment”. He was in the country for CNN Business interviews and filming Quest’s World of Wonder for CNN Travel. Taking to Twitter as he left, Quest posted a sunset photo, and said to South Africans: “Whatever the challenges, you are the […]

By Jenni Baxter
13-02-23 20:06
in Fab South African Stuff
SA is "the most beautiful, friendly place to visit" says CNN's Richard Quest
SA is "the most beautiful, friendly place to visit" says CNN's Richard Quest. Photo: Twitter / Richard Quest

CNN presenter Richard Quest has thanked Cape Town and South Africa for a “wonderful assignment”. He was in the country for CNN Business interviews and filming Quest’s World of Wonder for CNN Travel.

Taking to Twitter as he left, Quest posted a sunset photo, and said to South Africans:

“Whatever the challenges, you are the most welcoming, beautiful, friendly place to visit. So many great meals and conversations… and sunsets galore. Thank you & à bientôt.” (which means ‘see you soon’ in French)

Despite visiting the country before, Quest was blown away all over again by the abundance of wonderful things the country has to offer – “every twist and turn brings more beauty”. Even loadshedding, which set in within half an hour of his arrival in Cape Town on 6 February, couldn’t dampen his spirits.

“Well that didn’t take long,” he quipped, before updating that fortunately a hotel generator had kicked in. The darker side of loadshedding (“unimaginable power cuts”) – and the electricity blackouts’ devastating impact on the country’s tourism and investment opportunities – did however form a large part of the dialogue Quest had with business and tourism representatives, during his week-long visit.

But on the lighter side, clearly taken by Table Mountain – “spectacular from every angle” – Quest posted several photos of the iconic landmark, including one from his hotel bedroom in which he joked: “Oh no! There’s a mountain spoiling the view from my hotel window!!”

South Africans have suggested Quest apply to SA Tourism for a job. “They have a R1-billion budget,” he was told. H. Claire Scheepers added:

“Now this is how we “market” South Africa. No flags on an English soccer team jersey… just being ourselves and having people gush about it!!!”

Many South Africans took to Twitter to invite the great ambassador for SA tourism back. “You’ve only scratched the surface of this resilient and beautiful country,” pointed out SAPeople contributor and well known photographer Robyn Gwilt.

Another said: “Thank you Richard. Think of us when you switch your lights on back home!”

For the places he missed, they begged him to come back – from the Karoo to the Kruger, Joburg to Hermanus. Even Lion’s Head joked: “I was here the whole time. ?”

There will be a next time. Tagging South Africa’s president, Quest said: “Next time please @CyrilRamaphosa, let’s sit for an interview @PresidencyZA – there is so much to talk about.”

He loved the side-car ride with well-known dog Brody along Cape Town’s famous Chapman’s Peak (although he referred to it as Champion’s Peak)! And also discovered, whilst in SA, that “the world really is round”, while watching the sun rise in Cape Town whilst his other half watched it set in Hawaii.

Chapman’s Peak:

Actually Noordhoek beach (which is ironically longer than Long Beach):

 

Quest found the business and tourism sectors can no longer rely on government:

Tags: Cape Town CNN Richard Quest SA Tourism