WITH THE Meetings Africa now back on full throttle one, can safely say tourism industry is slowly regaining recovery.
On Monday evening key tourism role players, Government officials, international traders and press came in large numbers to experience the 2022 Meetings Africa psychedelic launch, hosted at the Sandton Nelson Mandela Square.
Entering its 17th edition, this gathering of ‘think-tanks’ had to be shelved due to the pandemic outbreak for the past two –years.
The 2022 Meeting Africa theme resonates on “Shared Minds, Shared Economies” will be hosted over two days from March 1 to 2 at the Sandton Convention Center.
Over 1000 exhibitors, buyers and delegates from the world will attend this premier show trade and the advantage of hosting such big business events is that it is not only the business tourism segment that benefits but the entire tourism experience value chain, including small enterprises.
“By hosting key catalytic in the destination aligned to our priority high-growth sectors, we remain true to the strategy of using these events to increase visitation, drive inclusive economic growth and enhanced destination competitiveness,” says Gauteng Tourism CE- Sthembiso Dlamini, who are the host City.
As rain took center stage, Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu in brief said, they look forward welcoming international traders to the country; as the economy slowly recovers as a result of the pandemic.
SAT board interim chair Advocate Mujanku Gumbi also echoed the same sentiments.
“Without the Meetings Africa 2022 conference, 204 people (39 temporary workers, and 165 permanent workers) and their families would go without the dignity that comes with a job.
Added to this, the value of events deals done at the last Meetings Africa conference in 2020 is estimated at more than R13-billion or close to US $850-million,” says the Mayor of Johannesburg Dr Mpho Phalatse.
The popular Travel Indaba will also be hosted from May 2 to 5 2022 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban.
Image SLM (Traditional dancers entertaining guests at the Meetings Africa launch held on Thursday evening in Sandton).
