Meetings Africa set to grow business tourism

This according to Nicolette Elia, exhibition manager, who says Meetings Africa is the most representative showcase of its kind ever held on the African continent. "With 150 exhibitors, including companies from Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Swaziland, Meetings Africa is proof that South Africa and Africa's business tourism industry is taking its rightful place, positioning itself favourably amongst some of the best business tourism destination in the world."

The exhibition includes companies such as conference centres, accommodation establishments, destination marketing organisations and event management specialists.

The exhibitors to this three day show are very pleased with an increase in the quality of visitors coming through the doors since the show opened. According to Elia this enhances Thebe Exhibitions' aim of continuing to play an important role in the development of the tourism industry in the South Africa.

She says when planning this year's exhibition, Thebe Exhibitions took careful measures to ensure an ideal environment in which actual business tourism transactions could be made.

Fresh aspects such as the hosting of 70 international buyers, a project supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, have illustrated what Meetings Africa is all about - a one-stop shop for meetings planners, event organisers and incentive travel professionals, says Elia.

"We believe Meetings Africa will help grow the estimated R21 billion annual contribution by business tourism to the South African economy, spreading the benefits of tourism wider and creating additional employment opportunities."

Meetings Africa is South Africa's top marketing event for the business tourism sector, previously known as the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events / Exhibitions) industry. It ran from 6 - 8 July in Sandton.

It is supported by major industry organisations, including the South African Tourism National Convention Bureau and the South African Meetings Industry Federation (SAMIF).