EDITOR’S COMMENT
This year has certainly begun with promise. The world keeps spinning and willmuch continue to do so, regardless.
Nitta Sukha, South Africa National Convention Bureau and your’s truly attending Meetings Africa 2022.
A
fter two years – of what remains a surreal dream – the business events industry is back in action. The industry is buzzing, and everyone is ready to recoup what was lost. The positivity was palpable at the recent Meetings Africa. Well done to the South Africa National Convention Bureau for making the brave call to go ahead with the in-person show! Of course, there was a virtual element too, for those who couldn’t attend in person. s we approach the end of year, I am It was so good optimistic. to be backPersonally, on the floor cautiously I’m at Meetings and to reconnect feelingAfrica a lot more upbeat. with such long The industry businessfriends events after industry is aslowly pause. I must was emerging fromsay, an initially, enforcedithibernation. daunting to me,seeing beingan in increase a hall filled I am definitely in
A
physical with people, events but in the all parts strange of the ‘fear’ industry. of It the is unknown fantastic towas observe quickly thereplaced differentwith sectors much happiness in our industry whenstarting seeing everyone up again. The again, past and few it felt weeks likehave it was been theamazing. I’ve beginning been following of 2019 again! industry leaders on social The business platformsevents doingindustry what they hasdo much best — to do be to it exhibitions, get back what incentives, it lost, but I’m conferences sure our sector andis events. up for the Thechallenge. industry has been We always waiting are! for so long and all it took was What a green is exciting light from to seegovernment! is how active South AfterAfrican monthsTourism of despair, has finally been, there through is renewed the Southpositivity Africa National in the industry. Convention One big Bureau positive (SANCB) is that in South launching Africa new is now finally campaigns off most to reignite of the the world’s South travel African red lists, business including eventsthe industry UK. to the world. The This recent year, the Africa’s SANCB Travel celebrates and Tourism Summit 10 years!(ATTS) Wow!also What set athe journey sceneitfor has what been. isIntothis come. issueIfof anything, BEA, weI look get the back feeling at the past thatdecade our continent and ahead – theatcontinent the of forthcoming Africa – is years. finally realising its own strength It has been in unity. an honour Over the foryears, me toAfrican witness countries the SANCB have grow always from looked strength toto other continents strength under for tourism the leadership and business of Amanda events Kotze-Nhlapo. while, inI was fact, at itsthe own launch African of the countries SANCB atwere Meetings overlooked. Africa 2012 and it has There exceeded is no doubt all expectations. that there are still a lot The of pandemic challenges,did like not airlift, prevent visa the restrictions, SANCB frometc. staying on course. During the One past of two the challenges years, the SANCB addressed hasduring ATTS continued is thatitstourism/incentive quest for new bids andand has conference/events achieved much success packages on this in front. the past
have Currently, alwaysthe been world has geared changed, to the yet the fundamentals European or have remained. American markets. People If have we, Africans, the needwould to meet, like to and caterafter for our twoown African visitors years, we should the need package for face-to-face it differently.meetings isOver eventhe more past necessary few years, than ourever industry before. Yes, leaders thehave requirement done a lot of of thetalking hybridabout model, will the issue remain. of airlift within our continent as well However, as the issue nothing of visas will ever within replace Africa for meeting Africans, someone I hope that forATTS the first has time, ignited in a person, new chapter, at a conference where African or on airlines an look exhibition at new routes floor.within The knowledge the continent and exchange, finally break the those interaction, barriers the which have networking hindered travel is what within makes Africa. it all the more valuable. Of course, It’s we justwould not the allsame love to onsee a virtual international platform. delegates Don’t get andme tourists wrong, the virtual return to platform our shores serves but a purpose what prevents and if us it weren’t from exploring for these new platforms, markets we within wouldn’t our have continent? been able The Covid-19 to continue pandemic meetinghas during taught the us that pastwe two areyears. able to collaborate a Over lot better the next if wecouple keep the of months, I look forward communication to reconnecting streams open with more within our industry continent. friends The time in person. is now, Africa is open for Here’s business to the and year I am of proudly possibilities! African!
Irene
Email: gomesi@iafrica.com
Credit: Hein Liebetrau Credit: Hein Liebetrau
2022 – The year for of possibilities Africa is open business
