The South African government plans to set up a National Events and Convention Bureau by the middle of next year to help the country’s business tourism industry secure bids for major events and conventions.

South African Tourism CEO, Thandiwe January-McLean, said: “The National Events and Convention Bureau will ensure an integrated, co-ordinated approach in positioning South Africa as a business and events tourism destination par excellence. Our aim is to increase the business tourism volume, as well as create a more balanced geographic spread.”

She said South Africa’s business tourism sector was set to grow following the country’s successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  South Africa will host more then 300 000 delegates in the next five years after clinching the bids for various international conventions. The country is hosting more and more inter-governmental and NGO meetings, most notably the prestigious UN Climate Change Conference (COP17) to be held in Durban next year.

January-McLean was speaking in Cape Town as 300 delegates from 36 countries attended the annual international conference of the Society for Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) for the first time in South Africa.

She said the World Cup had left South Africa with a legacy of upgraded stadiums, telecommunications and transport, which stood it in good stead for hosting major sporting and other events.

Meeting planners, associations and the private sector were positioning the country as a prime business tourism destination and investing in it. She cited the example of the Rezidor International Hotel Group, which will launch its fifth property in the coutry when the Radisson Blu Blaauwberg opens in Cape Town next year, while its new safari resort in the Kruger National Park is expected to open in 2013 and will add to South Africa’s diverse conference offering. She also pointed to Southern Sun’s investment in refurbishments of most of its properties and the opening of its new hotel in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. She said the new East London International Convention Centre would attract larger conferences and events to the Eastern Cape.

Inbound business tourism to South Africa in 2009 represented only 4,7% of total tourism arrivals, totalling about 500 000 MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) visitors. SA Tourism aims to turn the country into one of the top 20 global meetings destinations.

SAT’s annual ‘Meetings Africa 2011’ – punted as the continent’s top business tourism exhibition – will be held from February 21 to 23 at Johannesburg’s Sandton International Convention Centre.  SAT aims to grow it into a leading global event.  It is seen as a good barometer of the state of business tourism in South Africa and Africa. “Despite tough global economic conditions, the last Meetings Africa showed a marked increase in international buyers, exhibitors, visitors and media,” said January-McLean. “For 2011, we will continue enhancing the visitor experience with an even more targeted online diary system and networking events, whilst working together with South African Association for the Conference Industry to further improve the education programme.”