Meetings Africa took place in Sandton Convention Centre Johannesburg this past week (28 February – 2 March 2022). It is a tourism event featuring Africa as a destination spot and it aims at providing a comprehensive panorama in the field of the travel industry in Africa.
Meetings Africa Exhibition is a great place for connecting with a global network of decision-makers, executives or to simply book a vacation trip in the travel industry. In recent years, the global meetings industry has begun to recognise Africa as a sought-after destination. Meetings Africa showcases Africa’s diverse offering of services and products where African associations and African meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform our continent.
Morning Live interviewing Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo
Bongeka Molefe Account Director Sub Saharan Africa · Marriott International
Travis Grundling Assistant Director of Sales for Marriot Hotels
Key Account Director for Radisson Hotel Group
On Monday we started as BONday, MICE masterclass. The Masterclass is an annual Pan-African Business Events and MICE capacity building, training and Continuing Professional Development programme. This year’s course will focus on new industry trends, insights, business recover, business and bidding, and more learning and sharing of experiences across Africa’s MICE or Business Events landscape among others.Later after lunch we attended Educational Plenary by Justin Cohen. We were welcomed by Thandiwe Mathibela from South African Tourism. Later in the evening we had official welcome networking cocktail function at Nelson Mandela Square. Makhadzi from South African kept us entertained.
On the 1st of March we had an Official Opening Ceremony, speaking at the trade floor opening, Tourism Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, said that Meetings Africa presents an opportunity to collectively review and realign our African business events industry – one that embraces the increasing interconnectedness of trade and tourism. “Opening trade corridors across the continent must also open pathways for intra-African tourism to thrive, and vice versa. It is us – the African business events sector that have to be intentional and strategic in ensuring that we leverage this mutual benefit between trade and tourism.” She does not doubt that the industry will be able to recuperate swiftly after a dormant two years. “During our Global Brand campaign launch on Monday evening, we shared with you how we have risen time and time again, from many episodes of destruction and devastation of continent’s history. We shared our ability in always being able to rise with pride and resilience- that is the essence of Africanism. It is our ability to live again and build back better that sets us apart.”
SA Tourism acting CEO Themba Khumalo
Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, SANCB’s Chief Conventions Bureau Officer, said Meetings Africa will play a part in our sector’s recovery mainly by focusing on regional buyers to align with South Africa’s Tourism Industry Recovery Plan, which focuses on domestic and regional recovery first. It will also look at reintroducing international buyers to Africa as the Covid travel restrictions are eased. “Platforms like these allow us to come together as Africa. In our sector, while we are in competition, we are also in co-operation. And then of course, we need to build on our brand together go out there and tell the world that Africa is ready.”
Nosipho Thusini National Sales Manager for The Capitals Hotels
Cathrine Kilinda from Tanzania Tourism Authority
I took a moment to pose with MD of 7 Colors Communications, Neo Mohlatlole.
The 16th edition of Africa’s premier business events show – a flagship of the South African National Conventions Bureau (SANCB) – has brought together some 161 buyers and 216 exhibitors from 13 African countries. It was a great successful event to the Media team BRAVO. Thank you to 7 Colors Communications team for the invite and well done for the great job. See you all in 2023.
By Thato Malau
#RebuildingTourism
#TravelWithThato
For more travel info please email [email protected]
