Welcome to Africa

WORLD Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2015 has signed up a number of new exhibitors from across the continent to cement its position as the event that promotes Africa to the world and brings the world to Africa.

WTM Africa 2015 will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from April 15 to 17. After the success of last year’s inaugural event, WTM Africa 2015 has been expanded by one day and will take place over three days. In addition to the extra day, the second chapter of WTM Africa 2015 will also be bigger, with the exhibition floor increased by 50 per cent. TTN spoke to Sugen Pillay, the commercial director at Thebe Reed Exhibitions, for more.

What is new at WTM Africa this year?

WTM Africa 2015 is expected to be bigger and better than last year’s inaugural show. Extended by an extra day, the three-day programme will allow more time for valuable networking sessions, a bigger pool of local, regional and international exhibitors, new industry buyers, more panel discussions and conferences based on key industry trends as well as the World Responsible Tourism Conference, which will run alongside WTM Africa.

Can you tell us more about your hosted buyer programme?

WTM Africa’s hosted buyer programme offers carefully selected travel industry buyers the opportunity to directly engage with WTM Africa exhibitors. Pre-qualified hosted buyers can look forward to a variety of benefits at WTM Africa such as a personalised diary of appointments with exhibitors of their choice, financial contribution towards flights, accommodation, exclusive formal and informal networking opportunities, VIP access and exclusive post show tours.

Who are the exhibitors that will interest the Middle East this year?

As WTM Africa caters to both inbound and outbound sectors of the travel and tourism industry, there are many potential exhibitors that will interest the Middle East this year in terms of promoting Middle East to the South African industry and affluent African countries as well as promoting all Africa countries present to the Middle East.

Look out for tourism boards from influential and emerging markets such the Botswana Tourism Association, Zambia Tourism and Swaziland Tourism Authority. Visitors to WTM Africa can also look forward to seeing a variety of premium tour operators, hotel groups and safari destinations as well as top South African tourism and travel industry exhibitors.

Who are some of your first-time exhibitors? Has the exhibitor count increased from last year?

WTM Africa 2015 has signed up a number of new exhibitors from across the continent to cement its position as the event, which promotes Africa to the world and brings the world to Africa. We’re proud to announce new and internationally acclaimed industry suppliers to the exhibition such as Sun International, Radisson Blu, Tsogo Sun and Africa Travel Concepts.

We are already bigger in terms of WTM Africa exhibitors and exhibition space has been increased in order to accommodate the demand. 

Some other new exhibitors include:

• Boogie Pilgrim – an inbound tour operator based in Madagascar offering sustainably-sourced tailor-made adventure trips all over the island including mountain bikes, rafting and hiking

• Cresta Hotels - promoting its Mowana Safari Resort & Spa in Chobe, Botswana and its Cresta Sprayview hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

• Gosheni Safari & Travels – a Tanzania-based safari specialist offering upmarket and budget options for tours across the region

• Namibia Travel Connection – based in Namibia and offering packages across Southern Africa, its focus is on tailor-made fly-in, self-drive and guided safaris

• Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Zanzibar – a luxury hotel with conference facilities, home to the first nine-hole, 18-tee golf course on the island.

How much business is WTM Africa expected to generate this year?

WTM Africa’s inaugural event in 2014 recorded remarkable results, which saw approximately 4,000 industry professionals negotiate deals worth $314 million (£189 million). This expansion will allow for further economic growth in both local and international markets and is pivotal in taking the travel industry to the next level.

How will this year’s visitor count compare to last year? Do you think Ebola scares will impact the numbers negatively?

As WTM Africa is heading into its second year, we have no doubt that we will see large growth in terms of visitors attending the show. Visitor registration is already live on our website and has been communicated across many communication platforms, through the City of Cape Town, our media partners as well as though exhibitors and associations involved.

WTM Africa chooses to seek expert advice on the Ebola outbreak and its effect on the African travel market from industry professionals, providing education on topics such as these as a part of the outstanding and diverse conference programme.

Can you share the highlights from the event and conferences calendar?

Based on the expected magnitude of WTM Africa 2015, the extended three-day event programme will allow visitors and international buyers more time and a substantially bigger pool of exhibitors to form integral relationships with. The strategic platforms available such as the tactical networking sessions specifically designed to cater for travel professionals, the WTM Buyers Club, the Hosted Buyers Programme as well as the world-renowned WTM Africa exhibition ensures key quality relationship building.

Our topical and insightful event programme will run throughout the three days at WTM Africa, with sessions brought to you by leading and influential travel industry experts. Check www.wtmafrica.com for a detailed programme of events.

What sets WTM Africa apart from the other travel trade events in Reed’s portfolio?

The fact that WTM Africa is the only business-to-business inbound and outbound travel show in Africa is what sets it apart from other travel trade events within the Reed Portfolio.

With many emerging markets coming out of Africa, WTM Africa creates a platform that allows for phenomenal growth within key African and international travel markets and creates strategic business networking opportunities for exhibitors and visitors alike.