Get up to date with the latest MICE – Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Events news out of Africa with this weekly news wrap-up.
Meetings Africa 2024 a success
Meetings Africa 2024 kicked off with an air of celebration and anticipation at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, as Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, welcomed delegates to the event. Highlighting the significance of South Africa’s 30 years of Freedom, Minister de Lille emphasized the country’s commitment to partnerships across the African continent. With a record-breaking presence of 380 exhibitors from 21 African countries, including 19 debutants, the event underscored its status as a Pan-African showcase of excellence in the business events sector.
The economic impact of Meetings Africa was not overlooked, as Minister de Lille outlined the substantial contributions made by the event. With South Africa securing 40 bids for the 2022/23 financial year and a further 95 bids for international business events lined up from 2024 to 2032, the country is poised to attract significant investment and delegates. Moreover, last year’s Meetings Africa generated a staggering R388.5 million for the South African economy, showcasing the event’s pivotal role in driving growth and creating opportunities in the region. As the event unfolds over the next two days, attendees can expect a platform ripe for collaboration, networking, and showcasing the best of Africa’s business events offerings.
WTM Africa goes green
WTM Africa 2024 is gearing up to put sustainability at the forefront of its agenda, showcasing a commitment to responsible tourism and eco-friendly practices. Scheduled from April 3rd to April 5th, 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the event aims to promote environmental consciousness within the tourism industry. Partnering with the City of Cape Town, renowned for its sustainable tourism initiatives, WTM Africa is set to spotlight eco-friendly practices and initiatives throughout its landmark 10-year anniversary program.
Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director of Travel and Tourism at RX Africa, emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into the tourism sector’s growth. Initiatives at WTM Africa 2024 include collaborations with environmentally conscious partners such as the CTICC, implementation of recyclable materials like biodegradable Kraft paper badges and cotton show bags, and the introduction of the Sustainability Village, showcasing responsible tourism in action. With a focus on actionable changes and impactful partnerships, WTM Africa 2024 aims to inspire attendees to adopt sustainable practices and drive positive change within the industry. To attend WTM Africa 2024 and bolt-on events visit: https://www.wtm.com/africa/en-gb.html
TBEX Africa Cancelled
The Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) Africa 2024 event, originally scheduled to take place in Durban, South Africa this coming October, has been cancelled. This difficult decision was made after careful consideration and despite the unwavering commitment to delivering a world-class experience for travel from both TBEX and its partners at KwaZulu-Natal and Visit South Africa; unforeseen circumstances have made it impossible for TBEX to produce an event in South Africa this year.
TBEX, the largest conference and networking event for travel bloggers, online travel journalists, new media content creators, and travel industry professionals, has always strived to provide a platform for collaboration, education, and inspiration within the travel community. Registered attendees, sponsors, and partners will receive communication regarding relevant details shortly. For the latest updates and information, please visit www.tbexcon.com.
Africa’s Eden Summit 2024
Africa’s Eden, a dynamic tourism ecosystem encompassing Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, is set to host the inaugural Africa’s Eden Summit in Livingstone, Zambia, on June 17, 2024. This transformative event is organised by Africa’s Eden, a member organisation that empowers businesses through collaborative platforms and community engagement.
The summit, hosted at the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort, will serve as a pivotal gathering for thought leaders from around the world. It aims to facilitate the exchange of insights and foster collaboration, playing a crucial role in shaping the future of tourism in Southern Africa.
Participants can anticipate a comprehensive and immersive experience, featuring various opportunities for knowledge sharing and networking. Live discussions will centre around critical topics relevant to the Africa’s Eden region driven by thought leaders from around the world.
Africa Travel Week Unveils 10th Anniversary
In the vibrant heart of Cape Town, a decade of unparalleled travel expertise is set to unfold – Africa Travel Week 2024. Scheduled from April 7 to 12, this milestone edition of WTM Africa promises an extraordinary experience, showcasing robust growth, optimistic trends, and pioneering collaborations.
With an attendance of 34,731 professionals since 2014, WTM Africa has emerged as a powerhouse, consistently attracting industry leaders. This year’s program boasts diverse highlights: from festival-style celebrations, an interactive Brain Box workshop space, and the Sustainability Village championing responsible tourism to a renewed alliance with IGLTA Foundation and an exclusive Chinese buyer program.
Keynote speaker Harold Goodwin, now a Global Travel Hall of Fame Academy inductee, leads the Responsible Tourism Conference, aligning with the show’s ethos. The inaugural Africa Travel Week Media Awards and partnerships with organizations like Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA) further underscore WTM Africa’s pivotal role in the global travel landscape.
Industry prepares for INDABA
South African Tourism and the host partners for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024 – Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, the eThekwini Municipality, and ICC Durban – are gearing up for a bumper event this year as South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy. Registration has opened for buyers and exhibitors for the event, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC Durban) in Kwa Zulu Natal from May 13-16.
This proudly Pan African event will once again bring the global travel trade. Indaba 2023 welcomed more than 8 600 delegates and facilitated 21 000 meetings between exhibitors and international buyers in 2023. The exhibition showcased diversity and innovation, featuring 280 international buyers, 432 non-hosted international buyers, 41 local hosted buyers, 711 local non-hosted buyers and more than 1 000 exhibiting companies.
African Global Events Summit Speakers announced
An impressive line-up of speakers has been announced for the inaugural African Global Events Industry Summit (AGEIS) scheduled to take place from February 22-25 at the Garden Court OR Tambo International Airport Hotel in the City of Ekurhuleni.
The Summit is a meeting of professionals involved in the events industry value chain including corporate and social event planners, event designers and decorators, photographers, DJs and MCs. Bringing together industry professionals from various African countries, the inaugural summit is expected to attract between 100 and 150 event professionals.
Art festival set for Cape Town
Baz-Art, a non-profit organisation established in 2016, recently announced that the eighth International Public Art Festival (IPAF) is set to transform the streets of Cape Town into a vibrant canvas of public art and community engagement from February 14-18. Under the guidance of Baz-Art’s Co-Founder and Creative Director, Melissa Cucci, local and international artists will be partnered with key experts from diverse fields to create large-scale public art murals in Cape Town.
Registration Open for Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA) 2024
In a game-changing collaboration, Africa Travel Week (ATW) has teamed up with Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA) to fuel investment across the continent’s vibrant travel and tourism sector. Running parallel to WTM Africa from April 10-12 at the CTICC in Cape Town, TIFA is set to spotlight African destinations as prime investment hubs, fostering economic growth and development.
“As we celebrate the 10th edition of ATW, our partnership with TIFA adds immense value, unlocking the potential of travel and tourism to drive prosperity across Africa,” says Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director at Africa Travel Week.
This year’s TIFA event boasts a dynamic three-day agenda featuring investment showcases, policy discussions, expert panels, and site visits to investment project locations. With last year’s summit attracting over 190 delegates and 13 countries presenting 50+ projects, the 2024 edition promises an even larger gathering of investors, business leaders, and development agencies.
Major global events summit heads to Gauteng
The inaugural African Global Events Industry Summit (AGEIS) is heading to Gauteng in South Africa. The event, focusing on fostering networks and collaborations within the African events industry, will take place from February 22-25 at the Garden Court OR Tambo International Airport Hotel in the City of Ekurhuleni.
The AGEIS will be held annually on the back of the reported growth of the African events industry in recent years. The industry is cited as a growing contributor to Africa’s economy by attracting foreign investors and contributing to the economic development of many countries.
Events bring billions into Cape Town
Last year was Cape Town’s best year for hosting events since before the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing nearly R4bn (AUD32095m) to the economy with a total of over 1,200 events. The City hosted Africa’s first Netball World Cup, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the first Formula E race in Sub-Saharan Africa, Loeries Creative Week, and many more. In addition, over 1.3 million people attended or participated in the top 40 events in 2023. The City’s top 20 events in 2023 created over 26,000 job opportunities for people in the greater events ecosystem, including security, catering, logistics, production and transportation.
Zambia to host UNWTO Brand Africa conference
The second UNWTO Regional Conference on Brand Africa under the theme ‘Promoting Africa to unlock the tourism sector’s growth potential’ will be held in Livingstone, Zambia, from April 16-18.
The conference is open to UNWTO Member States, UNWTO Affiliate Members, and invited delegations, tourism professionals and technical experts, representatives of funding institutions and financial services, and stakeholders from public and private sectors who drive the management and transformation of the tourism sector in Africa with a view to promoting the continent as an attractive and competitive destination worldwide.
Additionally, the conference will host the UNWTO Brand Africa Think Tank Dialogue. Participation in this closed forum is reserved for the CEOs and GMs of Africa’s national tourism organisations, who will focus on effective communication, marketing and branding strategies to be implemented in order to build a solid and consistent image of the continent, with the ultimate goal of rebuilding market confidence and reigniting Africa’s tourism sector in the post-pandemic phase.
WTM Africa awards sustainable businesses
World Travel Market (WTM) Africa is urging responsible tourism businesses to enter for its Responsible Tourism Awards by March 1, 2024. A significant highlight at WTM Africa, these annual awards celebrate exceptional organisations, initiatives and individuals leading by example and raising the bar with sustainable practices.
“Now in its 20th year, the 2024 edition honours two decades of industry change-makers dedicated to making a lasting impact across the continent. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this prestigious legacy. The WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards open many doors for winners and even finalists, further drawing considerable admiration and international recognition,” says Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director – Travel, Tourism & RX Africa Marketing.
Africa shines at WTM London
One of the world’s premier travel trade shows, World Travel Mart (WTM) London has wrapped up and Africa was at the forefront of activities. Jon Danks, CEO of the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA), under which 150 members from across Africa participated, said the event had been a resounding success. From an African perspective, one of the key outcomes to emerge was the signing of a collaborative agreement between the Ministers of Tourism of both Brazil and South Africa. The agreement will foster the sharing of tourism-related information, joint marketing efforts and the identification of challenges faced in each country.
Zambia bags hosting of key UNWTO summit
After successful negotiations with UNWTO during the 25th UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) has announced that the nation will host the UNWTO Tourism Think Tank Summit in Livingstone next year April. Under the theme of ‘Promoting Africa to unlock tourism sector growth potential’, the summit will be attended by key decision-makers and roleplayers from around the world as well as the Secretary-General of UNWTO. It will focus on branding the continent as an attractive travel destination.
MTPA supports event organisers to boost MICE sector
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) announced its support to Mpumalanga event’s organisers last month to boost local tourism and to position the province as a premier tourism destination. These events will also create job opportunities for local people, such as security guards, waiters, hawkers, local transport owners and many more.
The events lined up are as follows:
Mpumalanga Music Dance and Craft – November 26.
013 Summer Blaze – December 2
Zithabiseni All White Festival – January 1.
Unlocking Africa’s Potential at WTTC event in Rwanda
Kigali, the vibrant capital of Rwanda, played host to a groundbreaking event at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit. In a collaboration with VFS Global, the WTTC unveiled a report that could transform the African Travel & Tourism sector. This revelation promises to infuse a staggering $168 billion into the continent’s economy and spawn over 18 million new jobs.
The report, aptly named ‘Unlocking Opportunities for Travel & Tourism Growth in Africa,’ outlines a visionary roadmap for achieving annualized growth of 6.5%, leading to a remarkable contribution of over $350 billion. The key to this growth lies in a trio of transformative policies aimed at bolstering air infrastructure, simplifying visa procedures, and launching dynamic tourism marketing campaigns.
Register for WTM Africa
Yes, it’s that time again! World Travel Market Africa is just around the corner, and registrations are now open. The event will include three days of insightful sessions: Immerse yourself in a comprehensive conference program spread across four different stages. Explore hot industry topics, including inclusivity, Responsible Tourism, Travel Technology, future trends, and Business Travel.
Workshop: don’t miss out on this new addition to the show floor. Engage and interact with industry players on hot topics and learnings in a unique format. Keynote Speaker Announcement: We welcome Nazreen Ebrahim who will tackle the topics of AI Ethics on our Travel Tech conference program.
If you are looking for the chance to contribute to reshaping the future of travel and tourism, there’s no better place to be than WTM Africa 2024. Register now at register.atwconnect.com/delegate/register
Registration is open for OurAfrica.Travel
Registration for the 2024 edition of the digital trade show, OurAfrica.Travel, due to take place from February 5-9, is now open. The trade show links global buyers with properties and suppliers in Africa and the Indian Ocean. A new feature of the show will allow exhibitors to meet with multiple buyers at one time, and is expected to revolutionise the show for both exhibitors and buyers who have staff based from home and all over the world.
Born out of the limitations of the COVID-19 lockdown, the innovative B2B trade show offers an affordable and inclusive opportunity for industry players to conduct business and network online, with the added benefit of a carbon-neutral footprint. Interested participants can click here to register.
New Cultural Centre in Mozambique a boost for events
A new 20 000sqm cultural centre, built by Chinese contractors, has been inaugurated in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo. The Mozambique Ministry of Culture and Tourism has called the Mozambique China Cultural Centre in the grounds of the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo, a “key project that will greatly contribute to the development of cultural exhibition and dissemination, as well as to the promotion of cultural creative industries from all over the country and the world”.
The $50 million centre, opened by Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi on Thursday (September 28), boasts a variety of rooms for theatre productions, musical shows and corporate events, with the centrepiece being a 1 500-seat auditorium. The facility also hosts exhibition halls and studios for arts and crafts, along with rehearsal rooms for music and dance.
Namibia to host major hotel investment conference
The Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers, will take place in Namibia on June 25-27, 2024 at the Mövenpick and Mercure hotels in Windhoek.
For many delegates attending AHIF next year, the conference will involve a ‘safari’ in more ways than one. The weekend before AHIF will feature various inspection trips to see some of Namibia’s best hospitality investment projects and tourism attractions. Participants will also include delegates from AviaDev, Africa’s premier airline route development conference, which will take place at the same venue the week before AHIF.
National Tourism Careers Expo welcomes 10 000 attendees
The recently held National Tourism Careers Expo in Gauteng has been hailed a great success, with as many as 97 exhibitors and registrations topping 10 000. Marks Thibela, CEO of the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA) said the primary objective of the Expo was to provide comprehensive career guidance to students from grades 9 to 12, as well as to those in Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and universities, alongside unemployed graduates.
Joburg to host global culture and heritage summit
Johannesburg has recently been announced as the host city for the second World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) Global Leaders Summit, which will be held in September 2024. The announcement was made by the CEO of WTACH, Nigel Fell, during this year’s inaugural WTACH Global Leaders Summit, which took place in Valencia, Spain, at the end of last month. During this year’s summit, heritage tourism experts grappled with complex issues of presenting culture and heritage to tourists. Dozens of delegates from 30 countries debated the latest issues, trends and opportunities affecting the sector, which accounts for 40% of all tourism activity, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Festival Kreol 2023
The Seychelles Islands are celebrating the 38th Edition of the Festival Kreol. This event is an annual celebration of the various aspects of our country’s culture. Traditionally, the Creole Festival is held in October, whereby we celebrate the Seychelles’ diversity, rich heritage and culture through several activities, shows and exhibitions. Keep an eye out for the streets of Victoria, dressed in the colourful decorations that usually adorn our capital for the festival every year.
APTA Global Forum Kicks Off For First Time on the African Continent
The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) is thrilled to announce the resounding kick-off of its Annual Forum, held on the African continent for the first time in the vibrant city of Cape Town beginning 27 September. This milestone event is bringing together 113 distinguished delegates from over a dozen countries, marking a historic moment in APTA’s rich legacy of promoting tourism to Africa. The APTA Annual Forum, a beacon for the global tourism industry for decades, provided an invaluable platform for leaders, experts, and enthusiasts from around the world to converge in Cape Town. This iconic city, with its rich history and breathtaking landscapes, served as the perfect backdrop for discussions on enhancing and showcasing the beauty, culture, and immense potential of Africa as a premier tourist destination.
Registrations open for Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) & East Africa Community Regional Expo (EARTE) 2023
The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is delighted to invite trade to Magical Kenya & East Africa Regional Tourism Expo (MK & EARTE) to be held from 20th to 22nd November 2023 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) is a Pan African trade fair organized and hosted by Kenya Tourism Board annually. The 13 year old event is highly structured for business, bringing in 160 carefully selected and vetted agents (buyers) from Kenya’s key source markets, taking them on 3-5 day familiarization trips to sample the product before a 3 days B2B forum with over 250 exhibitors (suppliers) and over 700 trade visitors. The 3 day B2B forum is based on prescheduled appointments with a smart matchmaking tool and guaranteed meetings.
The East Africa Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE), is an annual regional travel fair showcasing the region’s diverse tourism offering to consumers, and trade, hosted by the East African Community partner states on a rotational basis. As Kenya hosts the third edition of EARTE, the two events MKTE & EARTE have been combined into one event, creating more value and enhancing the level of engagement at the show for all the participants.
Please register HERE to get an opportunity to be considered for the hosted buyer program by 15th September 2023. The familiarization trips will commence from 17th to 19th November 2023 followed by the B2B meetings from 20th to 22nd November 2023.
New Botswana Hotel to Drive MICE Growth
Hotel 4:30 is set to soon open its doors in the bustling central business district (CBD) of Gaborone, Botswana, offering an upscale stay experience and boosting the country’s drive to grow its MICE sector. Featuring a total of 100 rooms, Hotel 4:30 offers diverse accommodation options. It includes thirty-five (35) Standard Rooms, each equipped with showers for guests’ convenience. The hotel also presents sixty-two (62) Executive Rooms, with some featuring both a shower and a bathtub, while others offer a shower and a private balcony. Additionally, Hotel 4:30 boasts two Presidential Suites, with private balconies, showers, bathtubs, lounges, and kitchenettes. For families, there is a Family Room available, designed with a shower, bathtub, lounge, and kitchenette.
If you have any MICE news, please send it through to our editor at hello@africabeat.com.au
