The platform is calling on all business owners within the travel and tourism sector to come forward and nominate their establishments for a chance to be featured on the ATW Connect website, as well as on the ATW social media pages.  

While a number of local tourism businesses will be featured by ATW over the course of the next few months, only one will walk away with the grand prize – a 6sqm stand at the WTM Africa Travel and Tourism Expo, to the value of R31 635. The winner of the grand prize will be announced following a random draw on 1 February 2022, with the sought-after expo set to take place from 11 – 13 April 2022 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Interested parties are encouraged to fill in a qualifying survey via Survey Monkey before submissions close on 31 January 2022, supplying details on a particular experience or product as offered by their business, along with key details regarding their ‘ideal’ customer, their establishment in general, and what makes their brand/product/experience stand out as an authentic African gem within the tourism industry.

Business owners will be required to answer insightful questions such as “What is your greatest hope for your business?” and “What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who want to get into tourism?”, as well as to submit a quality photograph that best encapsulates their spotlighted experience or product for use in all potential dedicated blogs and social media posts.

“The international conference segment is one of the centre’s key focus areas and presents tremendous potential for the CTICC and the city as a whole. Having secured 105 international conferences up until 2026, these events will have a significant impact on the Western Cape and South African economy. With South Africa’s economic growth prospects at 1.2% in 2019, securing international events can only positively affect our economy and bolster much-needed job creation,” said Julie-May Ellingson, Chief Executive Officer at the CTICC.

Most recently, the centre has been awarded nine international conferences. Of these, the World Economic Forum and World Dairy Summit had been previously hosted at the CTICC. Here is a list of the most recent events confirmed to take place at the CTICC:

1. World Economic Forum on Africa 2019

2. World Dairy Summit 2020

3. World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF), Global Engineering Deans Council Conference (GEDC) & Global Student Forum (GSF) 2020

4. INSOL International Conference 2020

5. Entrepreneurs Organisation Global Leadership Conference 2020

6. International Symposium on Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy in Veterinary Medicine 2021

7. International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases 2022

8. World Association of Waterborne Infrastructure – PIANC World Congress 2022

9. INF (International Netball Federation) Netball World Cup 2023

The World Dairy Summit 2020 will provide an opportunity for the South African dairy industry to gain exposure to major dairy-producing countries from all over the world.

The summit, which is themed Wholesome and Sustainable, is expected to bring together 1 200 delegates from 65 countries. Topical issues on the agenda include farm management, animal health and welfare, environmental challenges, and research and development.

“The dairy industry, like many other industries, is complex and needs to deal with international common challenges as a collective. These challenges are highly complex, require a scientific approach, needs a structured environment and requires the meeting of likeminded individuals, working in groups with the guidance and participation of world experts and leaders,” said Melt Loubser, chairman and media liaison of the South African Mils Processors Organisation.

“The experience we had in 2012 at the CTICC was professional, very effective, well-executed and the venue was truly world-class. The size of the venue and the fact that the whole conference included all parallel sessions and could be accommodated under one roof was very positive. The infrastructure of Cape Town, safety, the pristine beauty, the cosmopolitan atmosphere, excellent accommodation, spectacular sightseeing and wonderful culinary experiences contributed to this decision,” added Loubser.

The Entrepreneurs Organisation Global Leadership Conference 2020 will take place in Africa for the first time. The leadership conference will bring together188 member chapters from 58 countries.

According to Jason Sze, Chairperson of Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO), the 2,000 participants can expect intense training and information-sharing sessions. “As EO’s flagship event, the Global Leadership Conference creates community among our leadership and allows us to train incoming chapter member leaders in an intense track training programme developed by our committee members and facilitated by EO facilitators.”