Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) across Africa will have a platform to connect with buyers globally at next month’s World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa) Virtual – part of Africa Travel Week (ATW) – with a special exhibitor package on offer to make it affordable and easy for SMMEs to attend.

SMMEs exhibiting at WTM Africa (held from April 7 to 9), will have access to the virtual meeting platform and the opportunity to schedule up to 15 meetings, be included in the Product Showcase and also have a listing on ATW Connect’s Armchair Travel. WTM Africa will also host speed networking sessions on all three days at different times to connect buyers with exhibitors in short, five-minute meeting bursts.

Furthermore, SMMEs will have access to the Content Programme, which will feature two tracks tackling important topics like the Gen Z traveller, the changing landscape of the outbound market, rethinking tourism planning to deal with uncertainty and leveraging domestic tourism, among many other captivating industry-relevant topics.

“Our mantra of ‘Making Travel Happen Again’ does not lie solely in the hands of large tourism companies,” said Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism & Sports Portfolio for Reed Exhibitions South Africa, which organises WTM Africa.

“The fair majority of tourism businesses across Africa are what we would regard as SMMEs and these play a crucial role in job creation and growing the economy.”

To ensure a significant return on investment, Oberholzer said WTM Africa Virtual would be exclusive to buyers, exhibitors, trade professionals and media only, allowing them to connect with the highest level of travel trade industry professionals with direct purchasing power. 

“Registered delegates will still have plenty of opportunities to generate leads, draw up new contracts, and keep the conversation going about bringing travel to Africa, and Africa to the world,” she added.

The virtual format of WTM Africa will also apply to its suite of sister shows, including International Luxury Travel Market Africa, International Business Tourism Market Africa, the Sports & Tourism Exchange, Africa Tourism Investment Summit, Travel Forward, and EQUAL Africa.