Jeanné Schmulian, Marketing Manager of Quiver Tree Apartments, was a first-time exhibitor at WTM Africa 2017. Photo: Supplied
WTM Africa 2017 closes on a high note
BY ROBYN ELFORD 21 APRIL 2017 19:01
The doors have now closed on what has been an even more successful WTM Africa with buyers in attendance from 45 countries, with over 8 000 pre-scheduled appointments confirmed and an increase in exhibitors from 2016.
Key and emerging source markets were represented in buyers and travel professionals from 58 countries, including the Americas, Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern regions including countries such as United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, India, Brazil, Canada and Argentina.
"We confidently believe that WTM Africa 2017 has built on the previous years' generated business at WTM Africa in previous years, with feedback from buyers and exhibitors alike that WTM Africa 2017 has been the best yet!" says Chardonnay Marchesi, General Manager of Africa Travel Week.
Jeanné Schmulian, Marketing Manager of Quiver Tree Apartments, says: "Disney World doesn't have anything on this. We had an amazing show, loved the vibe and enjoyed the positive energy from each of the buyers we met with. We see WTM Africa as a great platform to help us in growing the Quiver Tree Stellenbosch brand in the future."
In addition, the exciting inclusion of the 9th E-Tourism Africa Summit at WTM Africa 2017 featured world-renowned experts on travel technology. In an overflowing venue, the E-Tourism Africa Summit demonstrated to travel trade how best to face the challenges of working in a travel market that is more dynamic and self controlled than ever, with technology enabling clients to research, plan and book travel in more ways, and marketing increasingly relying on the way travellers create and share content.
The growing potential of pink travel, focused specifically on gay and lesbian travellers, was detailed in a session hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Gay & Lesbian Tourism Association. This session showcased a strategy that contributes to socio-economic change, whilst opening up an extraordinary African tourism destination to a powerful global LGBT market hungry for new travel experiences. This emerging market for Africa will see even more focus at WTM Africa 2018.
Once again, WTM Africa 2017 was delighted to partner with the City of Cape Town. The continued support of the city is a key factor in the success of the show, and the involvement of the City of Cape Town is testament to the importance of WTM Africa 2017 within the tourism landscape.
Lastly, revealed on the second day of WTM Africa 2017, were the winners for the auspicious African Responsible Tourism Awards. Congratulations goes out to all of the deserving winners that are driving various responsible tourism initiatives in Africa.
More extraordinary innovations for an even bigger and better WTM Africa 2018, as well as audited statistics and numbers around WTM Africa 2017, will be announced in coming weeks.
WTM Africa 2018 will take place in Cape Town from 18 - 20 April 2018. Keep an eye on our website at wtmafrica.com for those details in coming weeks.
