Almost 30 South African exhibitors, led by Deputy Minister of Tourism Elizabeth Thabethe and SA Tourism’s chief Convention Bureau officer Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, are taking part in IMEX Frankfurt, one of the world’s largest business events trade shows.
Among the exhibitors are the City of Cape Town, which is the number one city in Africa for hosting international association meetings, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). South Africa also remains the top ranked destination in Africa and the Middle East by ICCA.
Taking place from 15 to 17th May 2018 at the Messe Frankfurt in Germany, IMEX Frankfurt is a global trade exhibition. It is where influencers from the world of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) gather for three days of business and networking.
There are over 3 000 global exhibitors, including tourist boards, international hotel companies, airlines, destination management companies and technology providers. IMEX is also renowned for attracting top-quality hosted buyers together with thousands of trade visitors.
“South Africa hosts about a million business delegates every year and they contribute in total about R115bn to South Africa’s GDP every year," explains Kotze-Nhlapo.
"Given its scale and importance, IMEX Frankfurt is the ideal platform to provide the most updated information about destination SA as the ideal and capable business events destination, for instance regarding infrastructure capability and new tourism products."
The SA delegation will also use the trade show to reassure the global MICE industry that the country is very much open for business.
Last year, IMEX Frankfurt attracted over 14 000 delegates with about 3 500 exhibitors from 150 countries showcasing their products and services to the world’s most influential travel buyers and trade visitors.
The South African tourism businesses that will be on display in Frankfurt include tour operators, airlines, hotels, game reserves, lodges and provincial and city tourism authorities. Significantly, among them will be seven small tourism businesses, whose presence at IMEX Frankfurt is being subsidised by the SA government to give them preferential access to the international market.
Kotze-Nhlapo explains that SMMEs are an important contributor to the economy as drivers for reducing unemployment.
The SMMEs exhibiting at IMEX Frankfurt include, from KwaZulu-Natal: Ikhono Communications, specialising in conferences, events and exhibitions, special launches, corporate gifts, corporate social investment projects and venue sourcing.
Also, from the KwaZulu-Natal are The Conference Company, dedicated to solving any conference needs and Nyanya Resort.
Cosy Posy Boutique Hotel is a 5 star Graded Boutique Hotel based in the Eastern Cape in Lusikisiki, within the Wild Coast region.
XL Millennium is a Western Cape-based full-house conference, incentive and travel house specialising in corporate and association conferences - local and international, in- and outbound incentives and leisure travel.
The Voortrekker Monument in Gauteng is also taking part. It offers experience activities such as guided tours, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and much more on site. It also offers venues for hire, including a large amphitheatre ideal for concerts.
Maropeng A’Afrika Leisure, of the World Heritage Site, The Cradle of Humankind, focuses on the conservation, exploration and interpretation of the story of humanity and hosts 400 diverse tourism offerings.
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