South Africa
Meetings Africa
maintains the momentum
SIMON GEORGE FLIES DOWN TO JOHANNESBURG TO FIND
AFRICA’S LEADING MEETINGS EVENT IN RUDE HEALTH
eetings Africa is going
“from strength to strength”,
Derek Hanekom, South
Africa’s Minister of
Tourism, told delegates at this year’s
show at Sandton Convention Centre in
Johannesburg. The increase in the
number of exhibitors and buyers bore out
the claim.
Now in its 14th year, the 2019 edition
of Africa’s premier business event saw a
record number of exhibitors and buyers
– 343 exhibitors (88 from African
countries), 37 up on last year – and new
African countries exhibiting included
Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and
Mauritius. There were 462 buyers, 17 up
on 2018. The economic benefits of the
event last year, the minister estimated,
had contributed about R3bn (US$210m)
to South Africa’s GDP.
Challenges
Size matters, of course, and a growing
meetings event obviously implies a
growing contribution to South Africa’s
economy. All of which is good news. Yet
there are headwinds. South Africa’s
economy is experiencing sluggish
economic growth and a widening budget
deficit.
In his national budget speech recently,
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni lowered
growth forecasts and announced a
package of restructuring measures
including sharp public-sector job cuts.
Hanekom acknowledged the difficulties
facing the country, but insisted
confidence levels were gradually being
restored: “There’s no pretence that
everything is fine. There have been
engagements with the rating agencies
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CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD
who look at credibility of message and
credibility of action. The President has
appointed a special investment envoy, and
we’re getting good responses
internationally (including at Davos).
Similarly, with domestic investors – we
had a big investment conference a few
months ago and the responses were really
good. So what you’re seeing is a cautious
mood of optimism in South Africa right
now.”
Hanekom did acknowledge security
concerns from event organisers and
visitors, but stressed that key areas
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ISSUE 100
Above:
Edition No.14 for
Meetings Africa
attracted record
buyer and exhibitor
numbers and heard
from finance and
tourism ministers
frequented by tourists such as the
waterfront in Cape Town, Sandton in
Johannesburg and the Kruger National
Park were very safe.
The minister also cited recent efforts
to make the visa regime easier – waiving
the visa for Russia and New Zealand
tourists, and, longer term, a possible
move to an e-visa regime. He added there
were new airline routes into South Africa,
including BA launching a direct
Heathrow-Durban route.
The minister also highlighted the
government’s decision to pump R90m