NEWS
It’s a wrap for Africa Travel Week 2021 • Three-day virtual event wraps up with thousands of 1-on-1 meetings with buyers • Headline shows – WTM Africa and ILTM Africa – the prelude to hybrid experiences all the way up to September Connect in the City Live Event
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frica Travel Week 2021 has wrapped up its first virtual trade show and content programme with over five thousand successful 1-on-1 meetings, four thousand views of content sessions and over 4,300 minutes of speed networking. Held from 7 to 9 April, the virtual event included headline shows, World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa) and International Luxury Travel Market Africa (ILTM Africa), where buyers and tourism destinations and products connected online to reignite tourism to the continent. A content programme also featured over forty panel discussions and
4 Business Events Africa April 2021
presentations by 170 international and African speakers on tourism-related trends in Africa and beyond, from LGBTQ+ travel and responsible tourism to business tourism and travel technology. Megan Oberholzer, Reed Exhibitions South Africa Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism & Sports, said: “The feedback received from buyers, travel trade visitors, exhibitors and panelists has been overwhelmingly positive.” “Recognising that face-to-face meetings remain important, but balancing this with the need for our industry to connect at this time, we took a blended approach beginning with a virtual event in April and having live meetings later on in the
year,” Ms Oberholzer said. “The organisation and format are great,” said Christophe Bazille, managing director at Hospitality Web Services, attending the show. “It´s not replacing the face-to-face meetings happening during the travel fairs, but it´s great to connect again and see the positiveness of all the people we e-meet. Tourism in Africa will definitely be back soon, with such spirit and amazing destinations.” LoAnn Holden, vice president communications International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) said: “Thank you for always supporting IGLTA and celebrating partnership and collaboration! We are proud to be part of www.businesseventsafrica.com
