At 17Th edition of the Africa Summit – a gathering of various African stakeholders brought together by Tourism South Africa – this year will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 27 February to 1 March 2023.
The meeting will create a platform that will help create partnerships by offering multiple opportunities to meet face-to-face with the world’s most influential buyers.
According to the organizer, the African Meeting has a global program, hosts-buyers for optimal interaction between buyers and exhibitors.
Also read: New board to boost tourism industry and SA economy, create jobs
Tourism South Africa is partnering with all nine provinces to host pre- and post-tour Africa Meetings for buyers and media to host to experience South Africa’s facilities and business establishments.
Speaking at the Meetings Africa 2023 media launch, Acting Chief Executive of Tourism South Africa, Themba Khumalo, explained that this year’s Africa Meetings will, for the first time, host an International Convention Center (AIPC) summit.
He explained that the African chapter of the AIPC Summit was born out of a partnership between the South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB), the South African Tourism business unit and the AIPC.
NOW Read: This is why tourists love to come to South Africa
“The entire global tourism sector has experienced a very difficult time in the last two years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but we are back with new energy and we are motivated to build and develop our sector to pre-pandemic levels and beyond. . The African meeting has the aim is to contribute to helping African business event players restart and grow,” he said.
So far, 275 buyers representing 45 countries have been approved to participate in the meeting. A total of 305 exhibitors representing 15 African countries are currently registered to display their wares this year.
The contribution of tourism to the economy
The tourism industry is undoubtedly one of the biggest contributors to the South African economy. According to Khumalo, the cumulative arrival of tourists for the period from January to November 2022 increased by 151.9% to reach 5.0 million arrivals in the same period in 2021. Arrivals in November 2022 were 565 758.
Also read: SA tourism bounces back with ‘hope on the horizon’
“We remain optimistic for the coming year from a business event and leisure tourism perspective and we will continue to use strategic platforms such as the African Meeting and the African Travel Indaba in May to promote our country and thus contribute to the success and growth of business.” concluded Khumalo.
Compiled by Devina Haripersad