Over the next five years, South Africa will play host to 177 major meetings, which will attract a quarter of a million delegates and contribute nearly R3.5 billion to the economy, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom told delegates at Meetings Africa on Tuesday morning.
Opening the 10th Meetings Africa Show, the Minister said business events played a crucial role in tourism growth and creating jobs. “According to research conducted by our National Convention Bureau, 40% of all convention delegates attending meetings in South Africa return in the next five years as tourists, boosting tourism growth and job creation years into the future,” said Hanekom.
According to the Minister, the 184 qualified international buyers attending the show had the potential to bring 54 000 delegates to the country, and contribute R1 billion to the economy. The top source markets represented by the buyers at this year’s show are India, the US, Canada and China. He added that 60% of the buyers in attendance were attending the show for the first time.
“During this Meetings Africa, we invite the world to rise with us,” said Hanekom. “Bring your events to our destination. While you are here, enjoy our hospitality. And plug into our local knowledge economy in fields as varied as mining, astronomy, design, health and medicine, telecommunications, environmental conservation and many others.
