Get up to date with the latest MICE – Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Events news out of Africa with this weekly news wrap-up.
Comic Con Africa in Johannesburg
Comic Con Africa attracted 70,000 visitors to the Johannesburg Expo Centre from September 26-29, making it one of the biggest pop culture and gaming festivals on the continent. The four-day event offered fans interactive experiences, on-site and virtual gaming opportunities, eSports tournaments, cosplay, shopping and meeting like-minded fans, cosplayers, influencers and celebrities. The Johannesburg Expo Centre was an optimal venue for the event as Comic Con Africa required 36,000 square metres of space for five stages and 18 activation areas.
South Africa chasing return of F1 Grand Prix
South Africa is accelerating efforts to bring Formula One back to the country with plans to meet the organisers by year-end to discuss hosting a race. At a press conference last week, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille confirmed that she and Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie will attend the meeting, which will likely be in December, potentially in Abu Dhabi. McKenzie’s department is in charge of securing the event, while the tourism department plans to use the opportunity to promote South Africa as a global destination, De Lille said.
The tourism department, which has a budget for infrastructure and maintenance, could also assist with building or upgrading the infrastructure required for the event, she added. A decision has not yet been made on the location of the potential race in South Africa.
Training for Uganda’s private MICE sector
The Uganda Convention Bureau (UCB), a unit under the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), has launched a specialised capacity-building programme tailored for the private MICE sector. The “Uganda MICE Bespoke Certification Training” programme was launched at Hotel Africana in Kampala on September 30 as a transformative effort to upgrade Uganda’s status as a MICE destination.
This programme targets destination marketing companies, professional conference organisers (PCOs), event organisers, suppliers and other key players in the country’s MICE industry. Addressing participants during the launch, Pearl Hoareau Kakooza, Chairperson of the UTB board, emphasised the economic potential of MICE tourism, stating it has been identified as a key sector within the tourism industry where Uganda can earn significantly more than leisure tourism.
According to Kakooza, statistical analysis reveals leisure tourists spend approximately US$168 per person per day while business travellers attending meetings and conferences spend US$400 per person per night.
Kenya to host Africa youth summit
The capital of Kenya, Nairobi, has been selected to host the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) in 2025, 2026 and 2027. This Pan-African event is dedicated to promoting and uplifting innovative entrepreneurs within the tourism sector across the continent. The announcement follows the successful 2024 AYTIS in Windhoek, Namibia, which attracted over 500 delegates. The event gathered 300 entrepreneurs in addition to senior government officials and industry leaders across Africa to foster collaboration and showcase the continent’s burgeoning tourism potential.
Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa), a joint venture between travel industry professionals Barry Clemens, Joram Mwinamo and Håvar Bauck, will host the upcoming summits in Nairobi. The exact dates and venue for the 2025 summit will be announced later this month.
Magical Kenya Travel Expo a success
The annual Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) 2024, at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi from October 2-4, was “the most successful to date,” according to CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) June Chepkemei.
Speaking to journalists on the last day of the three-day expo, she said the event drew over 4,000 delegates, 180 quality international buyers and 471 exhibitors from 35 countries. It was not just about the numbers but also about establishing strong, mutually beneficial relationships with buyers, sellers, policymakers, and media while sharing skills and knowledge with the next generation of tourism leaders through seminars, Chepkemei added.
She emphasised the need for public and private-sector collaboration and improved access via increased air capacity and visas, pointing to the launch of a network development strategy between KTB and Air Asia as well as the memorandum of understanding between Kenya and Uganda for cross-promotion and marketing of tourism products and services between the two countries.
Other highlights of the event included the launch of the Digital Nomad Permit and the Transit and Long Connection electronic travel authorisation by President William Ruto during his official opening of MKTE 2024.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, welcomed this move. It enables travellers in transit to step out and explore the city of Nairobi from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – these visitors will be truly immersed in the magic of Kenya and encouraged to return to the country, she pointed out.
According to Chepkemei, Kenya is the second largest transit airport hub in sub-Saharan Africa.
ILTM Africa 2025 ignites luxury and art at new Norval Foundation venue
ILTM Africa 2025 is relocating to the stunning Norval Foundation in Cape Town. This new venue beautifully merges luxury tourism with contemporary African art, setting the stage for an unforgettable event.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis sums it up perfectly, “Long known for our natural beauty, Cape Town is also one of the world’s great art cities, and delegates at ILTM 2025 are in for a treat at this beautiful contemporary art museum and sculpture garden.”
This move is a game-changer for ILTM Africa, as we bring together the world’s top luxury travel professionals in a venue that celebrates both cultural immersion and artistic excellence. We’ll also be introducing new elements, such ‘In Conversation’, a relaxed space designed to spark thought-provoking discussions and inspire innovative ideas. With art becoming a core element of luxury travel, this event is set to ignite fresh ideas about African luxury tourism.
Durban showcases sports and events tourism
Durban’s hosting of one of South Africa’s premier soccer events – the MTN8 cup final – provides evidence of the city’s calibre as a leading sports tourism destination. Held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 5 October, the soccer showpiece between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC drew over 60,000 fans to Durban.
Ethekwini Municipality Executive Mayor Cyril Xaba said the final had furthered the city’s goals of positioning itself as a sporting mecca.
“This demonstrates that the city continues to live up to its tag of being the premier destination for major sport events. The numbers we continue to attract during events in the city, whether it is sport or conferences, is an indication that our tourism sector is indeed bouncing back,” said Xaba.
Xaba added that the final provided further proof of Durban’s readiness to welcome domestic and international visitors for the upcoming bumper festive season. More than 1.3 million tourists are expected to visit the city during this period.
Franschhoek ‘bubbly’ festival
The Cape Winelands’ top bubbly offerings will be on full display at the Capitec Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival on 30 November and 1 December 2024. At the iconic Huguenot Monument this year, the event will feature a host of floral-themed festivities and live entertainment alongside gourmet food and Cap Classique sparkling wine tastings. The theme of the event, “Elegantly Floral”, celebrates the summer season and surrounding Cape Floral Kingdom landscapes. Franschhoek’s local restaurants and various pop-up food stalls will offer artisanal, French-inspired fare with entertainment by musicians such as Majozi and the Absolutely Fabulous Duo.
Events booming in Cape Town
Cape Town’s events sector is thriving into the last quarter of the year with the city’s permitting office currently processing over 100 permits for events in October alone. This month, events will include musical acts, women’s rugby, local football, a World Athletics Label Road Race marathon and a number of festivals. The city, through its events department, is providing funding and/or support in the form of municipal services to at least 21 of these events. Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, said the city is ready to play its role as a safety regulator and an events enabler.
“Our permitting office along with the events coordinating committee, is working hand in hand with event organisers to ensure that, as we see a bump in the number of events, we maintain safety standards for the benefit of all event attendees. The city is also providing funding and in-kind support to these events because we value their contribution to the local economy and job creation.”
Africa’s first-ever Glamping Expo
Glamping Adventures will host Africa’s first-ever Glamping Expo at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from October 28-29. The expo will showcase the entire glamping ecosystem from Africa’s premier glamping products and establishments to service providers and financial backers. Attendees can discover the latest innovations in glamping such as eco-pods and learn about new glamping destinations in South Africa. Among these are the newly upgraded Babanango Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, the idyllic Mopane Bush Lodge as well as glamp stays and high-tech glamping cabin providers along the Garden Route.
The expo is expected to attract a diverse range of exhibitors and visitors including glamping resort owners, tourism boards, international marketers and retailers, suppliers and innovators of eco-friendly accommodation and products, outdoor enthusiasts, travel agencies, tour operators and designers and architects specialising in outdoor accommodations.
Sandton ready for business travel boom
Hoteliers expect Sandton’s strong conferencing pipeline, including next year’s G20 Summit, will provide a much-needed boost to flagging average room rates (ARRs) in the precinct. Representing the STBA Secretariat, Mandy Watson said a pick-up in events at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) over the past six months was highly encouraging, with the momentum carrying over into 2025 and 2026. She said securing the 2025 G20 Summit was a major win for the sector.
“The SCC has a very high repeat business model with clients securing dates by committing several years in advance. Although this limits the space to accommodate new large events, there is an ongoing drive to secure new events into the future and to bring them to the SCC.”
G20 presents huge opportunities
South Africa’s G20 presidency in 2025 presents a host of opportunities for the country’s tourism and hospitality suppliers as the government needs the industry’s help to showcase the best of what it has to offer. So said Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille in her keynote speech opening the SATSA Conference 2024 at the Arabella Hotel Golf and Spa in Kleinmond, Western Cape, last week. She pointed out that over 125 meetings would be held in South Africa next year, culminating in the G20 Summit in November, expecting more than 40 global heads of state.
Cape Town Conference Centre gets massive revamp
The Century City Conference Centre has undergone a R15 million refurbishment and unveiled a new venue, The Verve, which includes an additional 500sqm of conferencing space. Both The Verve and the refurbished business lounge and surrounding public spaces are designed to cater to the needs of clients in search of high-end venues. The refurbished business lounge now features bespoke workstations to enhance productivity and connectivity, private meeting booths, sound-proofed, air-conditioned pods for confidential discussions, and intimate dining pockets for working lunches. Ergonomically- designed seating ensures comfort and efficiency for delegates.
Durban Street Food Festival set for September
This year’s Durban Street Food Festival will take place at The Pavilion Shopping Centre from 6 – 8 September 2024. The festival will offer a diverse lineup of food, crafts, music, and entertainment. There will be over 60 food and craft vendors as well as a music stage with over 20 artists performing live.
Cape Town at the centre of global space economy
Cape Town recently hosted the International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly, the first time in over 100 years that the event was on African soil. Running from 6 – 15 August 2024, the event attracted over 1,800 delegates (80% of whom were first-time visitors to the city). This influx is expected to significantly benefit local industries, particularly tourism and hospitality.
Held every three years, the IAU General Assembly brings together leading astronomers from around the globe to advance the field of astronomy through international collaboration. In 2018, the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau, powered by Wesgro, secured the event. Business events like this are pivotal to the Western Cape’s economy-boosting visitor numbers and showcasing the region’s expertise across various sectors. These gatherings directly influence foreign investment, export opportunities and tourism growth, with conference delegates estimated to spend around R6 400 (€322) per day, according to Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander.
Unusual conferencing experiences in demand
Conferencing is undergoing rapid change as customer expectations for “unusual” experiences transform the sector. During a recent meeting of professional conference organisers at The Vineyard in Cape Town, key role players discussed trends shaping the industry and showcased innovative new conferencing options.
Belinda Morrison, Head of Sales for The Vineyard, says conferences are increasingly being shaped by heightened expectations of sustainability, wellness and innovation.
“Leading conference venues are integrating eco-friendly practices such as energy efficiency systems and waste reduction to meet growing demand for sustainable meeting options. Wellness is now a core tenet of modern conferencing experiences with many featuring activities such as mediation, fitness sessions and health-conscious catering to boost attendee wellbeing.”
The meeting of industry professionals at The Vineyard included discussions about wellness, artistic expression, presentation skills training and team building. The day started with a grounding and meditation session before moving to the scenic lawns for mentally stimulating team-building exercises.
WTM Africa 2025 Save the Date
WTM Africa bids farewell to the remarkable 2024 edition, filled with fruitful business meetings, engaging conversations, captivating speakers, and joyful reunions.
As WTM Africa looks towards the future, they ask you to mark your calendar now for next year’s event to be held in Cape Town from 9-11 April. You can register your interest here.
