Under the theme, “This is Us”, the upcoming SATSA conference is set to spotlight the critical relationship between government and the tourism industry.

This main theme will be highlighted by the Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, who is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the event. The Minister's participation illustrates her ongoing commitment to fostering strong ties with the tourism sector and her dedication to its growth and success.

SATSA Chairperson Oupa Pilane emphasised the importance of public-private sector collaboration. “We're grateful for the positive relationship we've built with the Minister of Tourism,” Pilane stated. “Our goal is to continue strengthening this partnership to ensure the tourism sector can thrive and contribute significantly to the country's economy.”

Pilane expressed optimism about recent cabinet appointments and their potential impact on tourism. “We are now seeing different political parties working together, which is in the best interests of the country,” he said. “We are looking forward to creating very strong bonds with every sphere of government to address the challenges facing our sector.” He added that while great strides have been made with the Department of Tourism, there's still work to be done in collaborating with other government portfolios that impact the industry.

The conference aims to return to SATSA's core values while focusing on storytelling and industry resilience. Pilane highlighted the mental toll the recent challenges have taken on industry professionals. “We cannot underestimate the amount of pressure and mental strain that we've been under,” he said. “It's about time to let the players, those who are in the trenches, speak out and create a platform for them to share what they've gone through, and how they've survived it. Because in that process, someone is bound to benefit from that experience.”

Reflecting on the upcoming event, Pilane shared what he's looking forward to most: “There is nothing that pleases me more than to see the women and men in the tourism sector sitting there chatting and creating relationships, happy, laughing. Each time I'm at those conferences, I become a new person. I feel like I've got no problems because everyone is there to support each other.”

The event welcomes both SATSA members and non-members, demonstrating the importance of industry unity. “No man is an island. You cannot do this thing called tourism alone,” Pilane said. “SATSA is a family unit and we support each other.”

The SATSA Conference promises to offer a platform for dialogue, networking, and charting a course for the future. With limited spots available, industry professionals are encouraged to register and be part of this important gathering that aims to strengthen the bond between government and the tourism sector while celebrating the resilience and unity of the industry.

In an exciting new development, attendees who register for both days of the conference will have the chance to win a phenomenal prize sponsored by The Diamond Works Institute.

For more information and to register for the SATSA Conference, visit the official SATSA website or contact the events team directly.