Virtual travel trade shows are here to stay, according to OurAfrica.Travel organisers, Allie Hunt and Storm Napier.
OurAfrica.Travel is the only 100% virtual trade show in Africa this year, and Hunt and Napier are adamant that such shows are relevant in a post-pandemic world.
“There is absolutely still a need for a virtual trade show. People are still working remotely, they are not really going into offices, and they are still time-poor. In 2020 people had lots of time to network, but not any more. Time is more valuable now. OurAfrica.Travel gives people in the travel trade the chance to meet in their own time,” said Hunt.
Napier added that the cost-effectiveness of virtual trade shows would guarantee its place in the future.
“There has been a massive shift within the industry in terms of the ability to be flexible and work from different places. You’ve got a lot of little ‘one-man bands’ throughout the industry. A lot of those people don’t have the time, the money, or the necessarily dedicated African, Indian Ocean island focus to be able to go to bigger in-person trade shows, because they cost a lot of money to travel to. Our show provides a good stop-gap in terms of connecting people all over the world, in an easily accessible and affordable way,” Napier said.
Short window left to register
Time is running out to register for the fourth OurAfrica.Travel virtual trade show, as the platform’s networking chat function opens on February 8.
The actual 20-minute, 24-hours-a-day meetings will take place from February 20 to 24.
It is the only 100% virtual trade show in Africa this year, and Hunt and Napier ascertain that there is still a need for their virtual trade show, even as we start to move into a post-pandemic world.
The pair revealed to Tourism Update that the buyers who have already registered are predominantly international.
“Most of the buyers are from North America, Europe and Australia, who have DMCs in Africa. They come from all over.”
Click here for more information on the virtual trade show.
