The new virtual meeting platform will connect Africa’s travel trade with global buyers – after all African travel trade shows & exhibitions were cancelled in 2020
The exciting, hi-tech virtual ‘travel show’ will take place over 16 days in August and is scheduled within geographical regions to accommodate time zones.
Launched on 09 July 2020, OurAfrica.Travel 2020 replaces the industry’s traditional exhibitions, which are a critical marketing, sales and networking tool for businesses in the travel and tourism sector.
Instead, OurAfrica.Travel will connect African suppliers such as hotels, lodges, activity operators and inbound operators with global buyers, via pre-scheduled one-on-one, face-to-face virtual meetings.
Co-founder, Storm Napier says the team has been overwhelmed by the response from exhibitors and buyers alike:
“OurAfrica.Travel is a new, affordable way to reignite and reunite Africa with the world – and the reaction has been incredible. Some of the first supporters of OurAfrica.Travel 2020 included recognised names such as New Frontiers, Escape & Explore, Wilderness Safaris, Triumph Travel, Singita, Red Carnation Hotels, Jamala Madikwe, Mosaic Lagoon Lodge, Onguma, Chiwani Safari Camps, Time+Tide, Rovos Rail, and we now have over 150 exhibitors registered from countries across Africa.”
All participating exhibitors have invited their local and international buyer partners, including tour operators, travel agencies and MICE organisers who sell Africa.
Buyers participation in OurAfrica.Travel 2020 is free, easy and convenient. A buyer registers via a dedicated link, and once signed up they are admitted to the virtual platform and can begin networking with exhibitors.
Over 120 buyers have signed up to date, including: Private Safaris Switzerland, Swain Destinations, Swagman, FTI Touristik, Lusso and The Africa Adventure Company.
The virtual travel show will accommodate buyers across different geographic regions and time zones.
MEETING DATES:
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11 – 13 August: Australia, New Zealand & Asia Pacific (3 days) 02:00 am – 10:00 am CAT
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17 – 21 August: North America, South America & Canada (5 days) 16:00 pm – 01:00 am CAT
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24 – 28 August: Europe, United Kingdom, Ireland & Africa (5 days) 09:00 am – 18:00 pm CAT
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Global Saturdays - 15, 22 and 29 August 09:00 am – 18:00 pm CAT
‘Global Saturdays’ are open days that allow for the overflow of appointments that could not be accommodated within the exhibition schedule, and any buyer from anywhere may meet with any exhibitor, based on CAT.
Online diaries will open on 01 August 2020 to begin scheduling 15-minute meetings.
Attendance on the platform is monitored by organisers to ensure that confirmed meetings are honoured by both exhibitors and buyers. In addition, buyers can earn points, based on their interaction within the system, which allows them to win Golden Ticket experiences in Africa.
Founders of OurAfrica.Travel 2020, Rudi Wagenaar, Allie Hunt (Inspirational Places) and Storm Napier (Atmosphere Marketing) are well-known travel industry experts and have since grown their team to include Mpho Tsotetsi, Jenna Rankin, Janine Southwood and Gisela Piercey.