Africa’s Travel Indaba and Meetings Africa to make massive 2022 comeback

Africa’s Travel Indaba and Meetings Africa to make massive 2022 comeback
By Alexandra Coulton


Now that international travel is back on the cards, South African Tourism is bringing back its signature global trade shows, Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba.

The destination marketing organisation has confirmed that the flagship business events and leisure trade shows will return next year, with both platforms being hosted as physical events with limited virtual components.

Africa’s Travel Indaba’s 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions and regulations; however, Meetings Africa was able to go ahead in February 2020, just before the coronavirus outbreak, when it celebrated its 15-year anniversary.

In 2022, Meetings Africa will take place from 28 February 2022 to 2 March at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, while Africa’s Travel Indaba will be hosted from 2 to 5 May at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

As South African Tourism continues its efforts to boost recovery for the tourism sector, the return of these shows will promote and market the country’s business events hosting capability and showcase its leisure tourism products and experiences.

The events will also contribute to South Africa’s economy, attracting attendees from all over the world.

Africa’s Travel Indaba event will take place in Durban next year (image source: iStock/lcswart)

South Africa has recorded a significant reduction in the number of new COVID-19 infections, and its vaccination program is well underway with aims to have 70 per cent of its adult population fully vaccinated by the end of this year.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently moved the country to alert level 1, reducing curfew hours and increasing the number of people permitted for gatherings to 750 people indoor and 2,000 people outdoor, providing a major boost for both leisure travel and the business events industry.

“We are very pleased to bring Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba back. The need for physical events and face-to-face encounters is evident in both the industry and the public,” Ramaphosa said.

“The experiences over the last months have shown that on-location events can take place safely and successfully, and demonstrate how important they are for dialogue and exchange.

Sthembiso Dlamini, acting CEO of South African Tourism, said the country had recently hosted Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit, a hybrid format that was well executed and attended.

“Hosting Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba will certainly show our exhibitors, buyers and the world that South Africa is open for business, and that the South African tourism sector has world-class COVID-19 safety protocols in place to deliver on memorable experiences and events,” Dlamini said.

“South Africa is ready and well prepared to welcome delegates from across the world.”

Registration details for delegate participation for these trade shows will be announced soon.

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