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Redefining hospitality: Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa 2024

Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa 2024 will focus on the innovations, trends, and conversations that are needed to redefine hospitality on the continent.

The Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa turns the African hospitality conversation towards transformative action and the innovations, conversations, and changes needed to redefine hospitality on the continent. The seventh edition of the expo, taking place from 11-13 June 2024, could not be better timed — the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer saw Africa recover 96 per cent of pre-pandemic visitors in 2023, with international tourism reaching US$1.4 trillion and growth expected to exceed these numbers in 2024. Poised to become the second-fastest growing tourism region this year, Africa’s tourism is achieving impressive momentum thanks to a growing middle class, increased hospitality investment and innovation, and a CAGR of 8.9 per cent by 2032.

“The event provides thought leaders with the opportunity to unpack core challenges and concerns facing the sector today,” said Margaret Peters, event manager: food and hospitality at dmg events.

“Can sustainability and luxury co-exist? How can timeless, authentic design fuse with innovation to deliver aesthetics and functionality? These are just some of the questions asked, and answered, by highcalibre speakers and experts wanting to find intelligent ways of leveraging technology and transformation to meet changing market needs and expectations.”

Key trends discussed at the event, taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre, include: artificial intelligence (AI) and the role of emergent and relevant technologies; sustainability and social responsibility; driving tourism in dollars and moving beyond the singular destination; unlocking new revenue opportunities; OTA versus direct booking engines; personalisation and big data; the growth of the bleisure industry; and attracting investment.

“AI is affecting every business, everywhere, and hospitality has an opportunity to step forward and into its wave of innovation, to create sustainable change that affects personalisation, decision-making and growth,” Ms Peters said.

“It is also one of multiple trends and shifts in customer need that’s shaping the future of the sector. The African Hospitality Confidence Index 2024 found that 92 per cent of customers fit into the bleisure category, 53 per cent use dynamic pricing to optimise revenue, and 89 per cent believe ESG is key to long-term success. Having these conversations at HEA is critical to ensuring longevity for the industry as well as opening the doorway to opportunity.”

The speakers, thinkers and decisionmakers gathering to discuss the reality of hospitality in Africa are some of the leaders in future-forward thinking and industry insights. Jeff Blackbeard, director of sectors and markets at Moore Global and Lee-Anne Singer, marketing and sales director at The Singer Group lead the keynote address focusing on exploring the churning landscape of hospitality in Africa. They’re followed by Bronwen Auret, chief quality assurance officer, South African Tourism; Steven Louw, chief executive officer, Steyn City; Brett Hendricks, chief executive officer, Motsamayi Tourism Group and Daphne Kruijsse, area manager, Booking.com, among many others. A full list of speakers and the agenda can be found here.

“There is a strong demand for quality accommodation but there is also a need for the industry to focus on sustainability and technological transformation,” said Mr Blackbeard.

“We need to talk about the trends determining Africa’s hospitality journey as a vibrant international destination, capitalising on the growth felt in 2023.”

The event is bolstered by the 2024 Advisory Board which comprises a distinguished collective of industry champions committed to creating a substantive and well-rounded program for Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa. This year, the Advisory Board is made up of some of the leaders of the industry — key thought leaders and trend makers that include Neil Hughes, managing director at Providence Hospitality; Lee-Anne Singer, chairperson at FEDHASA Cape; Glyn Taylor, chief executive officer at Oasis Life; and Leoni Andereya, curator at Radisson Red, among many others. The Advisory Board members are selected for their expertise across key areas that include chief operations officers, general managers and chefs.

Find out more about the event at www.thehotelshowafrica.com