Thebe’s role at tourism tradeshows
Tourism is an important aspect of the South African economy. International tourist arrivals in South Africa grew by 10.2% year-on-year to almost 9.2-million in 2013, more than double the global average of around 4%. In 1993, South Africa received 3.4-million foreign visitors, and by 2012, the figure had grown by 300% to 13.5-million visitors, of which 9.2-million were tourists.
The country’s phenomenal tourism growth is evidence that we are successfully setting ourselves apart in a competitive marketplace. It indicates that South Africa’s reputation as a friendly, welcoming, inspiring and unique tourism destination continues to grow. Tourism tradeshows play a major role in marketing South Africa as a destination of choice. Exhibitors include provincial authorities and provincial products, accommodation, tour operators, game lodges, transport, online travel, media publications and industry associations. Outdoor exhibitors include transport, camping and safari companies. All of these stakeholders contribute to the success of the tourism industry.
The inaugural World Travel Market (WTM) Africa takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 2-3 May 2014. WTM is a leading B2B exhibition for the inbound and outbound African travel markets. WTM has a clear vision to deliver the right business contacts, give the travel industry a voice and offer all an even playing field to invest in the future of African tourism. WTM utilises all of Reed and Thebe Reed Exhibitions’ experience and know-how to bring together a mix of quality hosted buyers, invited travel professionals and media for two days of conducting business and networking.
Similarly, the Tourism Indaba brings together a showcase of African tourism products and services for the international travel trade over its three-day trade event from 10-12 May 2014, at the Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban. Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing exhibitions on the African calendar and one of the ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. Indaba attracts 13 000 delegates from the travel tourism and related industries from South Africa and across the world, including local and international buyers and media.
Together with the newly launched World Travel Market Africa it provides ample opportunity for the stakeholders in the travel industry to get together and showcase their tourism services and products.
Thebe Tourism Group is excited to be participating at the WTM Africa in its inception year. “Besides our involvement through Thebe Reed as the organisers of the show, we will be hosting a shared exhibition stand for our subsidiary companies who will be represented by their respective teams,” says Judiet Barnes, Marketing Manager for Thebe Tourism. Our focus will not only be to showcase our group of companies on an international platform like World Travel Market, but also to conduct many strategic meetings and attend the various workshops WTM has on offer,” she adds.
“While we will be attending the Tourism Indaba and have meetings with key stakeholders, we are not exhibiting as Thebe Tourism Group. Some of our companies will have stands on platforms relevant to their location and offering. Cape Point will be exhibiting with the Cape Town Big 6 attractions on the Western Cape and Cape Town shared stand while First Car Rental will be showcasing their ‘Rhino Orphan campaign’ and Tour D’Afrique will be sharing a stand with the Travel Smart Crew,” says Judiet. “This year we are excited to see some of the much publicised changes the organisers have made, particularly focusing on technology,” Judiet adds.
“Both tradeshows play an important role in the travel industry – they are platforms where key industry players get together and are therefore excellent opportunities for us to have strategic meetings that are aligned to our business goals,” Judiet says. “To network and reinforce relationships are key aspects for Thebe Tourism Group – tradeshows like Indaba and World Travel Market afford us the occasion to do this effectively,” she concludes.