South Africa had already secured 200 international conferences for the coming five years, which would attract 300 000 delegates and provide an economic boost worth R1,6-billion, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said last month.

Speaking at ‘Meetings Africa 2011’, South African Tourism’s yearly business tourism exhibition, Van Schalkwyk described tourism on the whole as a major jobs driver. From January to November last year, South Africa attracted 7,3-million tourists.

But he also argued that South Africa should move to raise its profile as an attractive and competitive international conference destination.

The three-day event, which took place in Sandton, attracted more than 150 exhibi-tors, ranging from accommodation groups and transport companies to provincial tourism bodies.

It aimed to showcase the capabilities, services and products that the country has to offer, and also included a ‘green’ tourism focus.

The expo is one of the biggest meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition gatherings in Southern Africa and Van Schalkwyk said that it was an important platform for the tourism industry to raise the region’s profile.

This years’s event included a ‘greener’ focus, with speakers such as Simon Gear discussing climate change and National Business Initiative director of climate and energy Valerie Green presenting the business case for greening business tourism in the South African and global contexts.

The expo also focused on improved technology and aimed to profile and showcase the capabilities, services and products that the country has to offer to the industry.

To subscribe to Engineering News's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.