South Africa had already secured 200 international conferences for the coming five years, which would attract 300 000 delegates and provide an economic boost worth R1,6-billion, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk reported on Monday.Speaking at the ‘Meetings Africa 2011’, South African Tourism’s yearly business tourism exhibition (expo), Van Schalkwyk described tourism on the whole as a major jobs driver. From January to November last year, South Africa attracted 7,3-million tourists.
But he also argued that South Africa should move to raise its profile as an attractive and competitive international conference destination.
The three-day event, which is taking place in Sandton, has attracted more than 150 exhibitors, ranging from accommodation groups and transport companies to provincial tourism bodies.
It aims to showcase the capabilities, services and products that the country has to offer, and has also included a specific “green” tourism focus.
The expo is the only meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions gathering in Southern Africa and Van Schalkwyk said that it was an important platform for the tourism industry to raise the region’s profile.
Source: Engineering News
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