The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) is gearing up to host the 3rd edition of its highly anticipated Tourism Leadership Conference from the 18th to the 20th of September 2024 at the Sun City Resort, North West Province, South Africa. Set against the backdrop of spring and coinciding with Tourism Month, the conference will run under the theme “Why Tourism Matters,” focusing on the pivotal role the tourism industry plays in driving South Africa’s economy.
This year’s theme aims to underscore tourism’s contribution not just as an isolated sector but as one that fuels various other industries critical to South Africa’s economic engine. As the country pursues its ambitious target of achieving 15.6 million arrivals by 2030, the TBCSA Tourism Leadership Conference is poised to ignite powerful conversations and collaborations that will shape the future of the tourism industry.
Participants can look forward to an action-packed program featuring insightful keynote addresses, interactive discussions, and solution-oriented sessions. Industry heavyweights, representing both the public and private sectors, academia, and media, will converge to explore innovative ideas and strategies to maintain the sustainability and competitiveness of South Africa’s tourism sector.
Some of the major topics on this year’s agenda include:
• Visa policies and their impact on increasing tourist arrivals
• Tourism safety a key issue in ensuring visitor confidence
• Collaborative efforts between the private and public sectors to uplift tourism
• The sustainability of small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism ecosystem
• Effective marketing strategies to elevate South Africa as a top global destination
The conference has attracted a cross-section of top-tier experts, including Glenton de Kock, CEO of the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI); Otto de Vries, CEO of the Association of Southern African Travel Agents (ASATA); Graham Wood, COO of Sun International; and Moseketsi Mpeta, CEO of Tourvest Accommodation. Additionally, Velma Corcoran, Airbnb’s Director of Policy, and MSC Cruises MD Ross Volk will bring their global perspectives on destination marketing and tourism development.
One of the standout highlights will be the presentation of the much-talked-about Trevor Noah Tourism Campaign for South Africa, which was spearheaded and funded by the TBCSA. The campaign aims to leverage Trevor Noah’s global influence to promote South Africa as a must-visit destination. The conference will delve into the successes and next steps of this ambitious project, which is expected to elevate South Africa’s global tourism profile.
In a strong show of commitment to addressing one of the country’s most pressing issues, a special session on ‘Tourism’s Commitment to Combating Unemployment’ will take centre stage. Given the sector’s potential for creating thousands of jobs, the discussion will focus on practical ways in which tourism can contribute to tackling South Africa’s high unemployment rates.
Another key moment of the conference will be a much-anticipated conversation with the South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs. This session is expected to cover key matters affecting the tourism sector, including the introduction of visa waivers, the rollout of the e-visa system, and other initiatives aimed at simplifying the process for international visitors to explore South Africa.
As South Africa continues to rebuild its tourism sector post-pandemic, the 3rd TBCSA Tourism Leadership Conference is set to be a platform for robust dialogue, groundbreaking ideas, and bold action plans. The convergence of influential leaders from various sectors will ensure that tourism remains a driving force for economic growth, job creation and a catalyst for idea exchange.
