Get up to date with the latest MICE – Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Events news out of Africa with this weekly news wrap-up.
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.
Kenya Hosts Inaugural Africa Climate Summit
Kenya is hosting the inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS) and Africa Climate Week (ACW), which began on 4 September 2023 and will run until 8 September 2023. Kenya has made significant strides towards sustainability by implementing various initiatives that have seen it become a global leader in sustainable tourism practices. A key milestone in this journey was the plastic ban implemented in 2017 to reduce plastic pollution and protect the environment.
Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage CS Peninah Malonza while welcoming the forum said the event allows Kenya to showcase its sustainable tourism and travel action as well as highlight the positive role that the sector can play in addressing climate change.
Leonardo in Sandton the place to meet
The Leonardo in Sandton makes for an ideal conference venue because it is in the heart of Sandton, Joburg’s business district. It is within walking distance of the Gautrain Station which offers a regular and reliable train service to and from OR Tambo Airport. There is also a plethora of accommodation options both inside the building and nearby and it is close to a host of eateries for guests to dine from, both night and day. Duncan Henn, Banqueting Manager of the Leonardo in Sandton says “We pride ourselves for not only being one of the most prestigious venues in Sandton but also for our reasonable package options and multitude of facilities to suit most events.”
BRICS Partners Commit to Growing Air Connectivity
The BRICS Aviation Working Group conference, held on the sidelines of the BRIC Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg, this week, concluded with a firm commitment to encouraging co-operation, connectivity, and long-term expansion in the aviation industry.
“This conference was a turning point in advancing the aviation industry’s function as a driver of economic growth and regional integration, with a focus on forging co-operation among the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa,” said CEO of Airports Company South Africa, Mpumi Mpofu, as Chair of the Aviation Working Group.
The countdown to Meetings Africa 2024 has begun
Meetings Africa, is set to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 27 to 28 February 2024, with Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) preceding the show on 26 February 2024 and delegates from all over the world are now invited to register and book their spot at this all-important trade show. In 2023, Meetings Africa brought together 273 hosted buyers and 355 exhibitors from 22 African countries and all partners are looking forward to welcoming even more delegates in 2024. To read more about the event, click here. For registration to participate as an exhibitor, please contact the Meetings Africa exhibition management and sales teams who are on standby to assist. For more, visit www.meetingsafrica.co.za or contact the Exhibition Sales Team on exhibitor@meetingsafrica.co.za
Jane Goodall Kick Starts “40 Years 40 Events” in Tanzania
Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) and Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) have forged a partnership to inculcate conservation values to the youth, as TATO seeks to payback to the community and nature, as part of its 40 years anniversary. Founded in 1983, TATO has witnessed tourism development and tourist streams in the country surged from 54,000 tourists in 1983 to 1.5 million in 2022, with the foreign currency earnings rising from $12.8 million in 1983 to $2.5 billion in 2022. Kicking off a first out of 40 planned events, as part of celebrating an incredible journey of 40 years, TATO announced to work with JGI’s Roots and Shoots project that seek to nurture young people to affect positive change on conservation drive in their communities.
Plan for major Convention Centre in Addis Ababa
Ethiopian Airlines Group and Addis-Africa International Convention and Exhibition Centre (AAICEC) have signed an equity investment agreement to establish an international convention centre in Addis Ababa to host multiple business events. The centre, built by and named AAICEC, is one of the airline’s major national projects to transform the country’s image after it recently held a grand opening of the largest hotel on the African continent – Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines is participating in this project through equity investment to boost conferences, tourism, and trade in the country. The AAICEC will include indoor and outdoor exhibition venues, multi-purpose halls, a conference centre, auditoriums, office space, shops, a restaurant and café, and a children’s playground, amongst other facilities.
Rwanda’s Kwita Izina 2023 fast approaching
Rwanda is preparing for the annual Baby Gorilla Naming Ceremony, KWita Izina. Kwita Izina is modelled off a centuries old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. In 2005, Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in what has become a global celebration of nature. By giving a name to these majestic animals, we give them a value they undoubtedly deserve.
The ceremony is an opportunity to thank the communities that live around Volcanoes National Park, our research partners, vets and the dedicated conservationists, rangers and trackers who protect the gorillas.
The 19th Kwita Izina will be held on Friday, 1 September 2023, and will celebrate the country’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.
Kenya to boost lead in tourism, MICE with new convention centre
The Kenya government has announced plan to establish an ultra-modern convention centre in Nairobi, the capital city. The convention centre is to help the East African leading economy position itself as a MICE, diplomatic, and commercial hubs. In a news release announcing the decisions, the statement said ‘’To position Kenya as the destination of choice for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, and to cement her place as a diplomatic and commercial hub, cabinet approved the establishment of the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC).’’
Anantara weddings in breath-taking African destinations
A private wedding with your closest friends and family or a big-scale affair, whatever a dream wedding looks like, a destination wedding is a must. Anantara Hotels in Mozambique and Zambia provide dream-like wedding destinations, from the turquoise Indian Ocean of Mozambique to the wondrous backdrop of the Victoria Falls in Zambia. An Anantara wedding at one of these venues is sure to be remembered for iconic views and meticulous attention to personalised detail.
Newark Hotels off MICE venue in Nigeria
Newmark has just entered Nigeria in Lakowe Lakes, just outside of Nigeria in a pristine estate including a championship golf course. The property is a fantastic destination for a West Africa MICE event. Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate is located Forty (40) kilometres from Lagos’s Victoria Island Central Business District in the new Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, and is set within a 308-hectare expanse of nature, manicured gardens, palm groves and more than thirteen (13) lakes. The gated estate offers upscale residential villas to rent, luxury lodge-style accommodation and a signature 18-hole championship Lakowe Lakes Golf Course designed by world-acclaimed Golf Course Architect, Robert O’Friel. The address provides a sanctuary from the urban bustle of Lagos and offers the global citizen blue chip property investment opportunities, estate lifestyle living, world-class hospitality including accommodation, spa, bespoke event and meeting spaces and immersive nature experiences.
Into Africa focus on Sustainability and Learning in MICE
Into Africa was thrilled to be involved in the Entrepreneurs Organization Global Leadership Conference. Their role was to conceptualize and deliver on a series of learning experiences, that related to the conference content with a particular focus on innovation, social entrepreneurship, advocacy, arts, culture and sustainability. The event was made up of 1600+ people which were divided into 67 groups. Delegates visited Robben Island, took lessons from the Green Economy, visited the streets of Salt River to see the impactful work being done by Baz- Art, visited Philippi Village which is an integrated community hub that aims to help young entrepreneurs thrive, joined the Innovation City workshop, learnt about wine business at Klein Goederust and attended an event at Breakwater Lodge for a Roundtable discussion focused on reimagining business as a force for good and understanding how businesses are not only a driver of economic growth, but a driver for social impact.
South Africa’s MICE growth strong
South Africa’s MICE sector is expected to grow from the U$6.9 billion in revenue recorded in 2019 to an estimated US$10.2 billion in 2028. This was highlighted by Acting CEO of South African Tourism, Nomasonto Ndlovu, speaking at Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) MICE Masterclass held in Johannesburg recently. She added that the sector’s revenue slumped to US$1.6bn in 2020 and climbed to US$2.6bn by 2021. Ndlovu said, of the four MICE segments – meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions – meetings remained the key growth area.
Meetings Africa 2024 open for registrations
Meetings Africa, is set to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 27 to 28 February 2024, with Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) preceding the show on 26 February 2024 and delegates from all over the world are now invited to register and book their spot at this all-important trade show.
Meetings Africa is a Pan-African trade show, where African associations and meetings industry professionals come together to showcase Africa’s diverse offering of business events services and products to global buyers. At Meetings Africa, delegates also come together to share knowledge as they partner to contribute to transforming and growing the continent’s business events sector. To register for the show, please visit www.meetingsafrica.co.za
APTA Global Forum
APTA will host its first-ever Global Forum on the African continent from September 26-30, 2023, at The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa. The theme of the 2023 Global Forum is “Africa: Where It Begins,” which pays homage to the importance of Africa to the travel and tourism industry. The event will include two days of member networking and educational sessions on the latest products, services, and tourism trends in Africa. The forum will bring together travel industry leaders, tourism boards, and travel advisors to discuss the future of tourism in Africa and explore new opportunities for growth and development in the region. Register now here.
WeTravel’s Tech & Innovation Summit
WeTravel is hosting travel and tech thought leaders and industry experts for our inaugural virtual Tech and Innovation Summit. The tools and systems that support our industry are evolving faster than ever before. With so much new technology at our fingertips, how can you ensure that you’re leveraging the innovations you really need in order to grow your business? With six sessions exploring the technologies, trends and innovations that are forging the travel industry’s future, this free one-day summit will be packed with actionable insights and key learnings to take away. Save your virtual seat HERE!
No Magical Kenya Travel Expo in 2023
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) wishes to inform all stakeholders that the 13th edition of Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) 2023 wil not take place this year. Kenya will instead host the 3rd edition of the East African Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE). EARTE is a regional travel fair showcasing the region’s diverse tourism offering to consumers, trade, media, and buyers. The expo is scheduled to take place from 17 to 21 November 2023, in Nairobi. EARTE is held on a rotational basis by member states of the East African Community. The United Republic of Tanzania (URT) hosted the first EARTE in October 2021 in Arusha and the Republic of Burundi hosted the second edition in September 2022 in Bujumbura. The implementation of EARTE is anchored to the East African Community Tourism Marketing Strategy (2021-2025), which is geared towards positioning and marketing the East Africa Community as a leading sustainable tourism destination in Africa.
If you have any MICE news, please send it through to our editor at hello@africabeat.com.au
