Change is the only constant

Looking at this issue of Meetings , it feels like change is all around –starting with our cover story (page 6): Mokuti Etosha has re-opened after a 15-month period during which it wasn’t simply revamped, it was completely ‘re-imagined’. Everything about it has been reconsidered and is now geared towards giving guests an exceptional experience that is authentic to the destination while also being a one-of-akind adventure.

We also bring you feedback on the success of Meetings Africa 2023 (page 10), which is evolving with the times, while our Big Interview features four brilliant Africans who are positively impacting their fields (page 8). The South Africa National Convention Bureau is profiling these trailblazers as part of their thought leaders campaign, in order to position Africa as a continent of innovators and the perfect destination to host dynamic business events.

Other interesting articles include a look at what challenges and opportunities Africa’s convention centres currently face (page 12), the complex issue of food waste (page 28), and tips and tools to boost event engagement (pages 35 to 39).

Cpd Points

I’m also excited to announce that readers of Meetings magazine can now receive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points! Starting with this issue – and in partnership with the Southern African Communications Industries Association (SACIA) – readers who complete a short quiz and score 70% or more (essentially demonstrating you have read the magazine) will be credited with 1 CPD point.

It’s an easy – and we hope enjoyable – way for those with a professional designation to stay abreast of industry news, developments and best practice trends. Go to page 47 to find out more.

LASTLY, IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

And finally, another change is that, after a short and sweet stint as editor of Meetings , I’m handing over the reins to Lizette Jonker. My position was always a temporary one, as I have other plans waiting for me. Now that the perfect person has been found for the role, it’s time for me to bid farewell.

Lizette is incredibly qualified to take Meetings magazine to greater heights. With nearly 40 years working in various media roles (including with 3S Media), she has a wealth of both knowledge and experience, and she is brimming with ideas on how to make Meetings a better platform to promote, support and enhance the meetings industry. I’m excited to see what comes next!

I’d like to thank the talented and hardworking team I’ve collaborated with to get each issue published, not to mention the many contributors who have generously given of their time and insights, and of course you – the reader – for whom we do all this. I hope it’s benefited you and your business!

It’s been a privilege,

FEDHASA flips the switch to futureproof the hospitality industry

FEDHASA Western Cape – the provincial trade association for the hospitality industry – hosted its inaugural ‘Talking Energy with FEDHASA’ Summit on 3 March, bringing together industry stakeholders from the public and private sector to talk about South Africa’s energy crisis and how it is impacting the tourism sector and hospitality industry.

The summit came on the back of the announcement of a national state of disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February, following more than 200 days of power cuts in 2022 – equalling more than half of the year – which resulted in 200% more blackouts than South Africans have experienced in any other year.

FEDHASA aims to influence policy- and decision-makers by lobbying government to help make South Africa’s hospitality industry more inclusive, while promoting job creation and the development of the sector. The summit focused on championing sustainable and long-term green energy solutions in the form of solar systems, storage batteries and inverters to help mitigate the impact of the energy crisis, while being environmentally friendly. Furthermore, it helped to educate the industry on the alternatives available through presenting case studies and creating a round-table open discussion.

South African’s top business travel destinations for 2023

Preliminary research from Corporate Traveller, a division of the Flight Centre Travel Group, has revealed the top international and regional destinations for South African business travellers for 2023.

“We’ve decided to have a close look at traveller behaviour, booking patterns, airfares and preferred destinations in January this year as an indication of what the rest of the year will bring us. We’ve noticed, for example, that advance booking behaviour has very much remained on par with 2022. Businesses are booking on average 15 days before travelling. What has changed, however, is the top five international and regional business destinations,” says Bonnie Smith, GM, Corporate Traveller. Their findings reveal the top five international destinations are, in order of popularity:

1. London, UK

2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

3. Paris, France

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

5. Mauritius

The top five regional destinations are:

1. Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda

2. Nairobi, Kenya

3. Antananarivo, Madagascar

4. Bamako, Mali

5. Lusaka, Zambia

“Corporate Traveller has seen strong recovery in terms of business travel with figures in line with – and even exceeding – 2019 levels. And with MICE travel, in particular conferences and events, back with a bang, we can expect an exciting year ahead,” concludes Smith.

Extraordinary reveals a new destination on the Panorama Route, Mpumalanga

Extraordinary, an esteemed collection of luxury lodges and hotels in Southern Africa, is delighted to introduce the world-class luxury hotel, Angels View by HoyoHoyo, in Mpumalanga. The hotel is located 5 km from the picturesque village of Graskop and in close proximity to the renowned Kruger National Park, Panorama Route and the many wonders of the province named after the Rising Sun. The Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport allows convenient access for domestic and international tourists. Weddings, events and modern conferencing are the order of the day, with the facilities including the spectacular Amphitheatre, glass marquees or a more traditional modern conference venue complete with the most up-to-date technology.

Angels View boasts a myriad of accommodation options, from the contemporary-styled superior and luxury panorama rooms to the 10 Earth Grotto suites, the four-bedroom Khoza House, and two one-bedroom suites complete with mini kitchens and private balconies.

The hotel facilities include the Grande pool deck, viewing decks, spa, gymnasium, library and plenty of lounge space in which to relax and soak up the unique setting. A trend-setting glass bar area, known as Café Ahe, completes the experience.

voco The Bank Johannesburg expands MICE offering

voco The Bank Johannesburg is expanding its MICE offering with the opening of a new conference venue on the third floor of Workshop17 The Bank on 17 April 2023. It won’t be your traditional classroom-style conference centre. Instead, the new aesthetically designed venue offers a fully flexible, ergonomic, 173 m² indoor space featuring the latest technology and on-site AV. It can be modulated as a cocktail, conference or even an intimate space for workshops or masterclasses with lounges and breakaway areas.

The new conference space complements the existing Workshop17 offering of a co-working space, a cafe and working bar, private offices, meeting rooms and members’ lounges. The building uses mainly renewable energy sources, such as a solar farm on the roof to power the building, as well as a heat recovery system that reuses the waste heat from the HVAC to heat water for the hotel.

Meet Batoka Hospitality, the first black female-owned safari lodge in Africa

Batoka Hospitality, a luxury ecotourism and community development group, is preparing to open the doors of its magical Zambezi Sands River Lodge in June, offering visitors five-star luxury in the heart of Zimbabwe’s rich natural landscape.

Just one hour from the magnificent Victoria Falls, the newly renovated resort is nestled in the stunning western end of Zambezi National Park and offers guests unrivalled luxury in one of the world’s most breathtaking natural settings.

The property offers 10 beautiful, tented suites, each with a private plunge pool and spectacular views of the Zambezi River. For those seeking greater privacy, a two-bedroom suite complete with a private swimming pool, lounge, a dining room and deck is also available.

In 2020, Batoka Hospitality acquired 100% ownership of the former Zambezi Sands River Camp and its sister attraction, the Gorges Lodge. Sustainability and local employment are at the heart of the resort’s mission, enabling guests to experience true African culture and hospitality with as little harm to the environment as possible.