The Acting CEO of South Africa Tourism (SAT) Themba Khumalo has urged the tourism sector to use the upcoming Meetings Africa as an opportune platform to accelerate the recovery of the business events industry.
In a hybrid media briefing at Cape Town on Wednesday 9 February 2022, the Acting SAT Boss said it was not natural for the sector not to meet.
‘’Let us use opportunity Meetings Africa provides to drive tourism’s recovery. The Africa Travel and Tourism Summit gave us the confidence to proceed with this year’s meetings Africa. Let’s recapture the spirit of meeting’’ the Acting CEO said.
Under the theme “Shared Minds. Shared Economies,” this year’s trade show will take place from 28th February to 2nd March 2022 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Meetings Africa is a Pan-African business events trade show, showcasing Africa’s diverse offering of services and products where African associations and African meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform the continent.
He added that tourism businesses in restarting their operations should invest ahead of demand as the sector recover to ensure that in a couple of months’ time there will be new markets.
The show promises to offer an array of exhibitors and buyers from across Africa and the world, an opportunity to meet as they partner to contribute to rebuilding the continent’s business events industry.
Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the South African National Convention Bureau in a conversation with VoyagesAfriq said showcasing to the world, Africa’s readiness to host the business and meetings industry is the central idea that underpins Meetings Africa.
“I think the important thing of Meetings Africa is exactly that. It stands for advancing Africa together. It’s for Africa to come together and to show the world that Africa is capable, Africa is ready, and Africa wants to do business.
“If we are coming together and we do that right and we get it right and work together, we will have an impact on our continent, and we will have an impact on our respective countries, economies and see us grow as a continent economically,” she emphasized.
Read more on Meetings Africa here
