EDITOR’S COMMENT
The keeps spinning will continue to doalbeit so, regardless. The world business events sectorand is currently soaring, with the current standing in all parts of the or industry. have always been Covid-19 regulations of 50 per centphysical venueevents capacity (indoor) 1,000 people, It is fantastic to observe the different geared to the whichever is smaller and 2,000 outdoors 50industry per cent capacity, isor sectors inorour starting up again.whichever European The past few weeks have been amazing. American markets. If smaller. Frankly, I’m not quite sure why these regulations are still being imposed?
W
hat I do know is that our industry is finally operational, in one form or another and currently a buzz of activity. This makes me happy. I feel that Covid-19 is finally in our rearview mirror, and we can begin to effectively move forward. I have made a pledge to myself that I need to get out of my own head and shake off the Covid-inflicted webs and begin living as I did pre-Covid. Honestly, I am still a little ‘awkward’ in social environments, the only way I can do this is if I get out there more. I suppose I’m just out of practice because it has been a long two years of being behind a screen and in the comfort of my ‘safe home’. The masks also don’t social s we approach thehelp endinofayear, I am setting, as it really adds an Personally, extra barrier. cautiously optimistic. I’m My solution, glass of feeling just a lothold morea upbeat. something or aevents cup ofindustry coffee is and you The business slowly can keep your off, justhibernation. that little emerging from mask an enforced bit longer, to socialise. I am definitely seeing an increase in
A
I’ve been following industry leaders on social platforms doing what they do best —The be exciting it exhibitions, part isincentives, that we are conferences andopportunities events. The industry has receiving more to engage, been forcontinues so long and all it took as thewaiting industry to reopen. was green light sector from government! Weaare a social and once we get After months of despair, finally there is going, we will overcome, in no time, renewed positivity the industry. with respect to all,indespite all the One small big positive we is that Africa is now challenges are South currently finally off most of the world’s travel red experiencing. lists, thetoUK. Thisincluding is the time reconnect — be it The clients, recent Africa’s Travel with suppliers and and old Tourism industry Summit (ATTS) also as setmaking the scene for colleagues, as well new what is to come. If anything, I getisthe connections along the way. This just feeling that our continent – the continent the beginning. ofOur Africa – is finally realising its own industry has experienced losses strength unity. thesoyears, African over the in past twoOver years, we also need countries haveto always looked other to find a way rebuild whatto we have continents for be tourism andskills business lost. This can through events while, inindustry fact, its association own African development, countries wereand overlooked. engagements supporting each other There ispartnerships, no doubt thatorthere are still a through by just lot of challenges, like airlift, attending an exhibition, an visa event, or restrictions, show, etc. etc. One addressed during Also,oftothe be challenges fair, we aren’t the same ATTS is we thatwere tourism/incentive and people before, I think we have conference/events in the all grown and hadpackages to find ways to past
we, Africans, would like to cater for our own African visitors we should package So, it differently. reinvent ourselves. this offers Over the past few years, industry another opportunity. In a our strange way, leaders done a lot of ourselves talking about we needhave to ‘reintroduce’ to the of airlift within our continent as oneissue another. well the issue of visasDay within Africa for TheasGlobal Exhibition (GED) Africans, hope opportunity that ATTS has a offered a I great forignited industry new chapter, wheretogether; African airlines look members to come both AAXO at new routes and and EXSA hadwithin eventsthe to continent commemorate finally breakcelebration. those barriers which the global Well donehave to hindered travel within Africa. industry both associations for bringing Of course, we would all love to see players together. For more information international delegates and tourists on this awesome day, have a look at our return to our (pages shores but what prevents us GED feature 14-18). from exploring markets within ourin I look forwardnew to many more events continent? The Covid-19 pandemic has the near future, one being the SAACI taught us that we are ableattoSTIAS collaborate Conference taking place a(Stellenbosch lot better if we keep the Institute for Advanced communication streams Western open within our Study) in Stellenbosch, Cape, continent. time is now, Africa is open from 14-15The August 2022. for business I am proudly African! I can’t waitand to meet up again, soon.
Irene
Email: gomesi@iafrica.com
Credit: Hein Hein Liebetrau Liebetrau Credit:
Africa is reinvent open for Reconnect, andbusiness reintroduce
