Industry Engagement is Key at WTM Africa 2016

Engagement at every opportunity with the trade is an integral component of the strategy for WTM Africa as the trade fair looks forward to their 3rd event taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 6 to 8 April 2016.

The WTM Africa team consistently interact on many levels with key inbound and outbound travel professionals to ensure they are in-tune and up-to-date on industry issues, obstacles and opportunities. The most notable events that have been hosted recently, specifically to discuss such issues that affect our industry are; two Travel Leaders lunches held in Cape Town and Johannesburg respectively and an Africa Round Table gathering in London at WTM earlier this month.

Chardonnay Marchesi, WTM Africa's General Manager who is very passionate about talking to as many travel experts as possible had this to say at the last event held at the Davinci Hotel in Sandton. “Our aim is to ensure that our event delivers well rounded, topical and relevant content to our partners during WTM Africa. We are focused on ensuring that we bring value to all exhibitors and visitors that invest their valuable time and money participating with us. By involving stakeholders in discussions about our industry, and specifically as it relates to inbound and outbound travel to and from Africa, we can guarantee a long term inclusive strategy for all concerned”.

The most salient outcomes from the various events have been:

• The need for the private and public sectors to come together when working on strategic ways to promote South Africa, as the perception currently is that the public sector only creates barriers.

• Finding new ways to work together to collaborate in the promotion of the continent to the benefit of all.

• Focus on creating more narrative about travel to and from Africa highlighting experiential travel to boost product within the destination.

• Use the WTM Africa platform to provide education on how to do business in Africa.

• Need to concentrate on the positive elements to counteract the prevelance of negativity in the message about South Africa.

• An increased focus on Responsible Tourism to feature at WTM Africa.

• A need for increased media engagement at the event.

"It is really refreshing to be part of the inclusive approach WTM Africa has adopted to crafting their show going forward. Not only are the Industry Leadership dialogues incredibly useful, but the manner in which Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) has been able to partner with WTM Africa to open access to new exhibitors is so welcome" comment from David Frost – SATSA.

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