Tourism Guide Africa Travel Guide Tourism Guide Africa June issue | Page 29

WTM Africa 2017
celebrates multiple successes
From increased visitor numbers, to more media and even greater attendance by trade
specialists, World Travel Market Africa 2017 closed with praise from both local and
international travel professionals.
While we are still awaiting the audited figures for WTM Africa 2017, we
can report that we have recorded a total increase in travel professionals
Chardonnay Marchesi, General Manager of Africa Travel Week.
of 17%.
Marchesi furthered that increases across the board indicate that WTM Africa
is fast becoming one of the most popular B2B platforms for travel professionals on the
African continent.
Media attendance increased by an incredible 17% in 2017, while the
number of travel professionals in attendance increased too.
The number of registered travel agents also grew, increasing by 9%.
In 2017, 21 different African countries exhibited on the show floor, while the total number of
countries represented grew to 38, a total increase of 5,2%. WTM Africa 2017 opened with
over 8 900 self-scheduled and pre-scheduled appointments on record between buyers and
exhibitors, and 140 first-time Hosted Buyers from key and emerging source markets. For the
first time, Hosted Buyers from Zambia, Ethiopia and Namibia were also present.
Positive feedback from buyers and exhibitors alike has started to trickle in, while social
media indicated a massive interest in WTM Africa 2017, with over 7 000 mentions of the
hashtag (#WTMA17) alone. Highlights of WTM Africa 2017 include the large-scale
exhibition with over 650 exhibitors, exciting speakers and panel discussions, and the
announcement that from 2018, the Sports & Events Tourism Exchange will be
incorporated into Africa Travel Week.
Be sure to save the date for WTM Africa 2018 from 18-20 April in the Host City of
Cape Town.
A MEMBER OF:
PART OF:
R
T O U R I S M
G U I D E
A F R I C A
29
T R AV E L
G U I D E