Home
FacebookSearchMenu
  • Subscribe (free)
  • Subscribe (free)
  • News
  • Features
  • TravelInfo
  • Columns
  • Community
  • Sponsored
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send Us News

Share

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print
Sponsored

Gauteng rekindles the meetings flame

01 Mar 2022 - by Sarah Cornwell

The Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) is promoting face-to-face skills training and is eager to help with product development to “re-ignite” and grow Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events (MICE) business across the province.

GTA’s Destination Marketing Head, Barba Gaoganediwe, said the revival of the MICE industry would mean millions of rand for the province’s economy and thousands of new jobs.

Speaking on the eve of Meetings Africa 2022, which returned to Johannesburg this week (the show is on at the Sandton Convention Centre from February 28-March 2, 2022) Gaoganediwe said the GTA was also actively looking for opportunities for small businesses and meetings suppliers based in Gauteng’s outlying areas and, especially, in its townships.

He said the meetings sector was starting to show good signs of recovery since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and that “it could open even more if we can all adhere to safe protocols”. However, he said tour operators and tourism start-ups were still struggling with limited access to funding and low awareness of opportunities in large-scale events.

Targeted training was being offered to try to support new businesses, he said. A dedicated events calendar will make those opportunities easier for businesses to track.

The GTA is excited about a Business Tourism & MICE Masterclass event at Meetings Africa this year. The content will focus on developing MICE business from other African source markets and especially from large corporations across the continent.

Other highlights from Meetings Africa 2022 include a Sustainability Village, and delegates have been encouraged to support the participating local entrepreneurs.

GTA would also be targeting more incentive business from national government departments this year, Gaoganediwe told Travel News. He was also adamant that business events were a catalyst for the recovery of the South African economy. “Meetings Africa sends a message. It’s about advancing Africa together by creating opportunities for African businesses.”

The theme of this year’s Meeting Africa event is ‘Shared Minds, Shared Economies’.

Organisers said they expected close to 1 000 exhibitors, buyers and delegates from around the world over the three days.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.

Alaskan cruises ‘off the table’ for SA travellers

10 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

TAAG launches Nairobi flights

09 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Feature: On the road to a low-impact future

09 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Edinburgh Airport scraps 100ml rule

09 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Condor adds three European routes

09 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Emerald unveils biggest yacht season

09 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Latest Changes on Travelinfo (9 Jul '25)

09 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Licence limbo delays Solenta Moz take-off

08 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

ET teases Oz flights

08 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Air Zim plots GDS return

08 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

IATA slams premium-flyer tax

08 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

Feature: MSC takes the lead in seabird conservation

08 Jul 2025
Comments | 0

SA’s F1 bidding process faces controversy

08 Jul 2025
Comments | 0
  • Load more

FeatureClick to view

New products July 2025

Poll

I don't sell cruises because...
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Travel News on Facebook
  • eTNW Twitter
  • Travel News RSS
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send Us News