South African Tourism’s South African National Convention Bureau has been in the United States to promote the country as a business events destination of choice for the US market. 

“This is one of our top three source markets so it is important for us to continue to engage stakeholders in this market,” said Acting CEO of SA Tourism, Themba Khumalo.

Washington business dinner

Two key events were held in two cities, starting with a dinner hosted in Washington where key business events stakeholders were invited to attend and encouraged to host their future business events and incentive trips in South Africa. 

The dinner was attended by 19 key stakeholders, including executives from associations, academic institutions as well as destination management companies. 

South Africa’s Ambassador to the US, Nomaindiya Mfeketo, lauded the work South African Tourism was doing to promote the destination in the US market, noting that the latest tourism numbers were “a testament to the work being done in the market”. 

She also thanked the tourism value chain partners who continue to show confidence in destination South Africa. “As an illustration of the confidence that the US airlines have in South Africa as a prime tourism market, both United Airlines and Delta have increased their flying frequency to South Africa. This is due to the increase in demand by US visitors wishing to travel to South Africa for business and leisure.”

IMEX America

Twenty exhibitors – including four SMMEs that South African Tourism sponsored – are exhibiting at IMEX America at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas this week (Tuesday, October 11 to Thursday, October 13).

“IMEX America is one of the world’s largest global trade exhibitions. South African Tourism is back at IMEX on a larger scale after the show was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides South Africa with a rare opportunity to communicate to the global community that we are indeed open for business with no travel or COVID-19 restrictions whatsoever,” said Acting Chief Convention Officer, Zinhle Nzama.

She added:  “We brought our best destination management companies and convention bureaus to showcase their offering in person. Exhibitors also include three of our best international convention centres: Cape Town, Durban and Sandton in Gauteng.”

Nzama said the IMEX platform would also be used as a networking opportunity. 

“It is an ideal platform to provide the most updated information about South Africa as a capable business events destination with the necessary world-class infrastructure. We are here on the ground to reassure the MICE industry that South Africa is very much open for business and that hosting meetings and events in South Africa is a must,” she said.