Published on : Friday, February 28, 2020
“It stands to reason that this year we are hosting the largest Meetings Africa, to date. In this regard, we have sold 100 per cent floor space, with 321 exhibitors from 20 Africa countries. A special welcome to the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are first time exhibitors at Meetings Africa,” said Kubayi-Ngubane.
“I would also like to welcome the 313 buyers from across the globe, who have come to explore and buy what Africa has to offer. Walking around earlier, I could already sense a buzz of excitement surrounding the many possibilities that Africa has to offer the international business travel industry.”
Meetings Africa is a Pan-African Business Events trade show. The show has been in existence for more than 15 years. The show was first initiated in response to the rising recognition of the global meetings industry in Africa as a sought-after premier business events destination.
Currently in progress at the luxurious Sandton Convention Centre, Meetings Africa has attracted many key business tourism sector players to assist the African countries jointly in advancing the tourism interests of the continent.
Meetings Africa is currently in its 15th year will be arranged on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The gathering acts as one of the main platforms for Africa’s business events professionals to display their sundry services and product offerings to buyers across the globe. The target is to encourage and stimulate the rotation of meetings on the African continent.
Kubayi-Ngubane explained that when it comes to development, African countries are at varying degrees and maximum of them now form part of the virtuous growth cycle. She added that collaboration, rather than competition, is key to help all African countries to realize their potential.
“For this reason, Meetings Africa showcases Africa’s diverse offering of services and products, in which African associations and African meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform our continent’s fortune. Tourism is a crucial sector, and high on the list of our government’s priorities,” she said.
“As a country, we already have a vibrant tourism industry and both leisure tourism and business events industry hold massive potential to play an even more meaningful role in the economic transformation of our country and the upliftment of our people and the rest of the continent.”
The minister stated that she was quite happy as this year on the trade floor, the gathering is joined by 20 SMMEs.
“Please be sure to visit them at the development zone so you can see the vast variety of business events offerings that South Africa offers,” she urged.