The African Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AAVEA), in partnership with South African Tourism, will host its second virtual conference, AAVEA 2021, on August 19.

This year’s virtual conference will focus on ‘Unfolding future: Insights that will inform our approaches for tomorrow’ and will include presentations by keynote international speakers, panel discussions, an interactive exhibition space, and more.           

In addition to the 2021 virtual programme, the results of the first benchmark study for South African attractions will be released. Using data aggregated from visitor experiences and attractions across the country, the benchmark study will help attractions managers and the tourism industry to understand the important role that visitor attractions play, particularly in the domestic tourism economy.

Additional speakers and programme news will follow soon.

President of AAVEA, Sabine Lehmann, said: “Hosting our conference online presents us with the unique opportunity to welcome participants and speakers from all around the world and elevates the experience.

“When you have the greatest minds in the industry, meeting, learning and being inspired by each other, it doesn’t matter if we’re online or in-person – the possibilities for collaboration and growth within the attractions sector are endless. The AAVEA board and I look forward to engaging with all conference participants this August.”

The three-year SA Tourism/AAVEA partnership was cemented in 2020, with Acting Chief Quality Assurance Officer of South African Tourism, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, noting: “We are working together to positively help the recovery of our tourism industry and to honour our heroes in this sector that have managed to survive during this difficult time in our country. The virtual conference will be an incredible springboard to use to connect and share insights, including the first ever benchmark study for our own South African attractions and experiences.”

Registration for the conference has opened.