The Sandton Tourism Association (STA) hosted its first Travel Workshop on Wednesday, September 12, connecting tourism, travel and accommodation service providers seeking both outbound and inbound business relationships.

The association, which extends beyond central Sandton to the outlying sectors of the Sandton hub, including areas such as the Cradle of Humankind and Fourways, welcomed exhibitors from a widespread area to host tables at the event.

“We decided to give our members the opportunity to showcase their products and services to DMCs, tour operators and travel agents – to meet with them first-hand and make contact with the people who would be utilising their products and services,” said Chairperson of the STA, Alida Canevari.

Twenty exhibitors participated in the workshop, including a number of Southern Africa Tourism Services Association-accredited organisations. Large enterprises as well as SMMEs were represented, bringing a diverse range of operators into contact with buyers.

“With this being our inaugural event, we are looking at growing the workshop to become a bi-annual event, with more association members being represented,” says Canevari. “We are further looking at changing the association’s name to Sandton Tourism and Business Association, to be more inclusive of a variety of tourism and travel business seekers.

“We believe we are more than a tourism body; we conduct business in a greater Sandton area, and have teamed up with corporates that will use the facilities and products that our members offer.”

The STA Travel Workshop was supported by a number of major tourism and travel sponsors. “We invite more businesses to join the association, become part of the travel and tourism community in the area, and to benefit from the network that we are building,” concludes Canevari.