KwaZulu Natal will host the first African World Football Summit (WFS) – a major opportunity to showcase South Africa’s sports tourism sector.
The summit will bring together over 1 000 attendees and 80 top speakers from 50 different countries and is expected to have an economic impact on Durban that will surpass €12 million.
WFS provides a platform for all stakeholders involved in the football industry to discuss, promote and generate business opportunities.
WFS Africa will be held at the Durban ICC on March 17-18 and will see global leaders of football, such as the FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura; LaLiga President, Javier Tebas; and South African Football Association President, Danny Jordaan, attending.
“We are excited and very proud as the Province of KwaZulu Natal to play host to such a global event that brings all those involved in the business of sports together,” said KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala
Sports tourism continues to drive growth in the South African tourism sector. Executive GM of Impact Investments at Business Partners, David Morobe, believes South Africa’s sports tourism sector has more offerings than those of other countries on the continent.
“Winning international tournaments gives us an edge. The infrastructure we have to host sporting events like the Nedbank Golf Challenge shows that sports tourism has many business opportunities,” said Morobe.
“This a vote of confidence in the country’s ability to host major international events,” said eThekwini Municipal Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda. “With over 1 000 delegates from around the world expected to attend the WFS Africa, this will position Durban as a globally competitive city for investment and a venue of choice for sport events.”
WFS started in Madrid in 2016 and currently hosts yearly summits in Madrid and Kuala Lumpur.