It is that time of the year again when travel professionals from across the world visit Africa for its annual Africa Travel Week. This year the event will be held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre from April 19-23. Organisers expect to increase the number of travel professionals from last year. Some of this year’s guests include esteemed buyers, tour operators, tourism products, local outbound travel agents and destination marketing organisations.
Chardonnay Marchesi, General Manager of Africa Travel Week said there has been a significant increase in both buyers set to attend the show, as well as pre-registered travel professionals. “Our pre-registered travel professionals are currently up by 26% compared to last year and our buyers are up by approximately 10% in numbers too. This is growing daily and will result in a further increase in onsite arrivals,” he said. Marchesi said a major highlight for WTM Africa 2017 is the dedicated talks and discussions planned for its Travel Tech Show, while specialists in outbound travel can look forward to learning how to better package and sell popular destinations in the NEW Outbound Conference Theatre. The panel of speakers announced for ibtm africa 2017 will work through topical trends, insightful case studies and reports on how this industry is evolving on the African continent.
“We are proud to not only share what promises to be an impelling programme, but a panel of speakers that will provide insights and impart knowledge that can further develop this industry in the coming years,” added Marchesi.
In a press statement, it revealed that over $1.5m (around R20 million) of business was known to have been generated from ILTM Africa. Highlights of new participants this year include The Blue Train, Morukuru Family, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Amakhala Game Reserve, Freewalker Adventure Travel, Mala Mala Game Reserve, Makweti Safari Lodge, Melia Serengeti Lodge, Bushtracks Africa, Chitwa Chitwa, Thornybush Luxury Game Lodge Collection, Makanyi Lodge, Mantis Collection, Vineyard Hotel, Rovos Rail and Molori Safari Lodge.
To find out more about each of these unique events, their exciting speaker programmes, and to make sure you’ve registered, visit www.africatravelweek.com.