Hotel exhibitors at Meetings Africa are expecting greater return on investment from the show this year due to the increased attendance numbers compared with 2022. So said Sandra Kneubuhler, Radisson Hotel Group’s Country Director of Sales and District Director South Africa, speaking to Tourism Update at the show.
As far as the MICE industry goes, she says the market is leaning towards experiential, sustainable travel offerings and authentic, memorable experiences in terms of locations.
In South Africa, the group’s Cape Town hotels are presently much sought after. In terms of performance, the figures for the Cape Town properties are now ahead of 2019, while those for Johannesburg are about six months behind those of its coastal properties.
Kneubuhler says revenge travel post-COVID is boosting the sector, along with the need to have face-to-face events with so many people working from home.
She says one of Radisson’s most popular African hotels is the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre in Kigali, as the city’s wonderful cleanliness makes it attractive to the international market.
Vickie Muyanga, Regional Director of Sales Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, emphasised in a recent press release that the return of MICE business had been instrumental in the success of the Kigali property. “Extending beyond South Africa, trends within the MICE industry on the continent indicate a return of meetings from the government, oil and gas, healthcare and sports industries, which has also given rise to smaller events as a result. In addition, climate change and food-related meetings have seen a noticeable increase as well.”
Rwanda had been successful in bidding to host some of the world’s largest summits and events owing to its infrastructure and the fact that economic policy had encouraged massive business growth in the region, said the release.
The Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre in Kigali is just five kilometres from the bustling city centre and Kigali International Airport. The contemporary hotel is situated opposite the Kigali Convention Centre, which can accommodate up to 5 000 delegates.
