Responsible tourism key focus of WTM Africa 2015

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Responsible tourism will be a key focus of the World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa), which runs from 15 to 17 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Responsible tourism will be a key focus of the World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa), which runs from 15 to 17 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The conference and seminar sessions, featuring key industry figures, โ€œwill offer all visitors the best insight into the industry and focus on the exciting future prospects for this emerging regionโ€, say the organisers, Thebe Reed Exhibitions.
On the program are:

โ€ขWTM Africa Responsible Tourism Program, led by Professor Harold Goodwin with a panel of local and International speakers, offering visitors the chance to discuss and learn about the latest sustainable tourism initiatives and thinking affecting the African continent;

โ€ขiambassador and Traveldudes will host two sessions โ€“ the first outlining how international travel bloggers are changing the media landscape and the second a panel discussion about collaborating with bloggers, including perspectives from the blogger and industry sides, and will focus on best practices;

โ€ขWTM Vision โ€“ Cape Town will examine the latest research on regional-specific trends and insights into what the future for those sectors might be, and Ronald Tinashe Mapiye, research analyst at Euromonitor International will discuss the evolution of tourism, with particular focus on domestic tourism in Sub-Saharan Africa.

WTM Africa is expected to exceed all targets and expectations, say the organisers. โ€œThe response we have received from exhibitors for our second year has just been tremendous and we are still signing up new exhibitors as we speak,โ€ said Carol Weaving, managing director of Thebe Reed Exhibitions.

โ€œWTM Africa was a great success last year. I think our industry was mainly watching from the sidelines on how it would perform, and this year companies who are serious about meeting the right people, conducting productive meetings and getting a return on their investment, do not want to miss out.

โ€œIn addition, we are attracting not only buyers looking for African product alone. We are providing a holistic travel and tourism show that benefits all travel professionals from a wide variation of focus and this is exciting.โ€

WTM Africa was held for the first time in 2014. This year, there will be more than 400 exhibiting companies from over 60 countries around the globe, including other parts of Africa. There will also be debates and seminars, as well as topical and beneficial talks covering to-the-point topics that have a direct impact on the business of travel.

Exhibitors and visitors from the travel industry can expect to meet with hosted buyers on pre-set compulsory appointments and have access to Buyers Club members and other visiting travel professionals. There will be speed networking sessions, social engagements and events.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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