Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngabane speaking at the media launch
The Minister of Tourism of South Africa Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngabane has launched this year’s Meetings Africa event in Sandton, Johannesburg.
Addressing stakeholders at the launch of the 2020 event, the Minister said, one of the aims of Meetings Africa is to encourage and stimulate the rotation of meetings on the African continent. She added that, it has become the premier avenue for regional events industry to engage the world.
‘’One of the key objectives of Meetings Africa is to encourage and stimulate the rotation of meetings on the African continent. It is the ultimate platform for regional business events industry to engage in a bid to attract more global and regional business events to Africa’’ Mrs Kubayi-Ngubane said.
‘’The business events sector is crucial to the tourism industry as well as the economy of our country and continent. The industry directly and indirectly sustains more than 250 000 jobs, and contributes an estimated R115 billion to South Africa’s GDP, annually. Africa’s growing economy, improved infrastructure and growing tourism sector in globalised environment has led to the improvement in the continent’s MICE supply sector’’
‘’The global meetings industry has begun to recognise Africa as a sought after business events destination. As such, we need platforms like Meetings Africa which serve as a primary platform for Africa’s business events professionals to showcase their diverse services and products offerings to global buyers’’- the Minister observed.
The Sector Minister applauded organizers of the event, the South Africa National Convention Bureau for making it a prominent event feature in the global meetings space.
Speaking on a panel session during the launch, the CEO of South African Tourism Sisa Ntshona said, In regards to cancellations due to the coronavirus ,Technology will be used to link Chinese delegates to Meetings Africa.
Meetings industry is celebrating 15 years since its inception and is considered the industry’s “must attend” event in Africa. Meetings Africa is the premium avenue for Africa’s MICE industry and showcase the diverse of the continent to the global market.
Sandton in Johannesburg will be the centre of activities when buyers , event organisers and media converge to exchange and brainstorm and conduct business.
It is organized by the South African National Convention Bureau in partnership with the South African Tourism under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and scheduled for 24-26 February 2020
