LIMPOPO; POLOKWANE: The Board Chairperson of Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA), Mr. Andrew Dipela, led a delegation of tourism stakeholders from Limpopo Province to Sandton International Convention Centre for a two-day 2024 instalment of Meetings Africa that commenced on 26 February to 28 February 2024 with the sole purpose of selling the province as an ideal business and leisure destination.
Meetings Africa is a tourism event featuring Africa as a destination spot. It aims at providing a comprehensive panorama in the field of travel industry in Africa. It is a great place for connecting with a global network of decision-makers, and executives or simply booking a vacation trip in the travel industry. This event strives to foster a healthy environment for business-to-client or business-to-business organizations across the globe.
LTA sought to embrace the concept of Limpopo pavilion in its approach to stand design and construction. Distinguished features refer to key tourism icons and attractions requiring promotion and sustained exposure in the regions.
The objectives of attending Meetings Africa are to increase the tourist volumes, spend and length of stay arrivals into Limpopo Province as a favourable business events and sports tourism destination through pursuing, bidding and hosting both major, local and international events; to learn about the needs of organizers interested in hosting big events in Limpopo; and to showcase Limpopo’s experience and expertise in hosting and managing large, local and international events.
The theme for this year was, “Limpopo is open for business”. The approach to Meetings Africa 2024 was also to promote events and meetings products. The Agency also highlighted the diversified Heritage and Culture that comes as an incentive for businesses bidding for events and meetings.
Limpopo pavilion was conspicuous as all Limpopo products, both SMMEs and established were under one roof displaying unity from the province. The colorful accommodated a total of twelve (12) products comprising six (06) sharing SMMEs, five (5) established exhibitors and Limpopo Provincial Tourism Association (LPTA). Sharing exhibitors were supported by LTA for their participation at the show.
Meetings Africa is a perfect platform for the interaction between world buyers and exhibitors where the tourism sector showcases what Africa has on offer for buyers from various countries of the world. It was exciting to see everyone engaged in business meetings and this gives hope to the tourism sector growth. The agency believes this will have ripple effects with several business events coming to the province later because of these engagements made possible by this important platform.
The Borad Chairperson of LTA, Mr. Andrew Dipela, said, “Meetings Africa is a come together of tourism products that are involved in hosting business events organized from South African Tourism by the section called Conventions Bureau for tourism products to come and showcase their offerings to the world including our continent of Africa. Our presence here is to expose and showcase the provincial tourism offerings to the continent and the world but we want to grow our MICE sector in the province”.
Exhibitors at this show included airlines, conference, event and exhibition management companies, convention bureaus, destination management companies, destination marketing organizations, hotels, venues and incentive travel specialists.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF LTA BY:
MIKE TAUATSOALA
MANAGER: COMMUNICATIONS, PR AND STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS
LIMPOPO TOURISM AGENCY
Tel: 015 293 3600
Cell: 082 886 3294
Email: miket@golimpopo.com