SITE NEWS

Site Africa wins the Best Chapter Virtual Engagement Award

We began the year by reviewing some of the fundamental principles of a successful tourism business or industry. Tourism is multifaceted and, despite the fact that there is no one form of tourism, many of the industry’s basic principles hold true no matter in which aspect of the travel and tourism industry one works.

Tes Proos, president of Site Africa, said: “We have not been afraid to take on challenging topics such as contracting and cancellations with suppliers under Covid-19 circumstances. We also tackled the very touchy topic of DMC fees during the proposal process and it was virtually attended, not just by Africa, but globally. The topic was continued during a panel discussion during the SITE Global conference and was far from exhausted.”

The award was received by former SITE Africa and SITE global president, David Sand. He said: “We are doing something so much greater than ourselves and our destinations. We are pioneering a collaboration across Africa, which I believe will bear much fruit for our continent in future.

“The initiatives that SITE Africa is putting out there to engage young people in leadership roles across Africa is really what is going to make a massive difference. As much as we are in a very challenging situation now, there is great hope for our continent.”

Daryl Keywood, former chapter president and international board member, stated in a letter to Tes Proos, president of Site Africa: “As our team continued to work remotely for most of 2022, it has been so important that we have been able to participate in The Walk for Love and other chapter events on a virtual basis. Not all members are based in the major centres and, with travel budgets limited, we are not always able to attend in person. Thank you and the organisers for enabling attendance, it was great to see members and industry colleagues online and to interact.”

Doris Parsons, SITE Africa board member and moderator for the Walk for Love and other virtual sessions said: “It was a privilege for SITE Africa to have been involved with the inaugural edition of The Walk for Love event that took place in February 2022. This event brought together over eighteen African countries to walk simultaneously for a single purpose: “Walk for the love of Africa”.

“Rebuilding, Recovering and Repositioning Tourism in Africa was the common theme resonating across the continent, and numerous conversations on this had been had, but not much had been done. The event sought to bring Tourism industry stakeholders together to ‘walk’ together with one voice; Africa must love itself, and join hands in repositioning Africa as a Mighty, single tourism destination. We’ve talked the talk, now let us walk the talk.”

“As SITE Africa, this was a great opportunity to put a spotlight on the brand, raise awareness of what SITE entails and hopefully raise the interest of potential new members. As this will be an annual event, it would be great for SITE to continue being a part of it, positively influencing the face of Incentive Travel Excellence around Africa,” Ms Proos said.

“A massive Thank You to all our panellists and moderators who made these virtual events successful with their insights and sharing.”

“We are looking forward to the next Walk for Love Africa event which will be announced in the very near future and hope to see you all there, supporting our industry and encouraging intra-Africa business events,” Ms Proos concluded.

WFL Cape Town.

WFL Nigeria.

WFL Durban.

WFL Swakopmund, Namibia.

WFL Zambia.

WFL Zimbabwe.