TOURISM CALENDAR. We look forward to another great year of travelling with our Africa Showcase family

Transcription

1 TOURISM CALENDAR 2018 We look forward to another great year of travelling with our Africa Showcase family Copyright On Show Solutions Directors: Amanda Margison, Jacqui Reynolds

2 2018 AT A GLANCE For over a decade the Africa Showcase has been promoting travel to, and in, this magnificent continent. Our goal has been simple: use roadshows to increase growth to the various regions our clients operate in for a win-win-win scenario. We believe we re achieving this as our clients continue to support us, their businesses are flourishing and market research shows travel to Africa is booming. Buyers in source markets also couldn t be happier, we re literally handing them the best products on a silver platter. As global tourism organisers, we re continually forging connections to ensure you get the best possible ROI on your Sales & Marketing budget. We also know that you re in travel because you love to travel, so come and join us (for the first time, or again) for the most fun you can have on a sales trip. Where will Africa Showcase be in 2018? And which shows are you joining? JAN AFRICA SHOWCASE : NORDICS February / March Copenhagen Oslo Stockholm FEB ITB BERLIN March Berlin, Germany AFRICA SHOWCASE : EAST AFRICA April Addis Ababa Kampala Nairobi MAR APR MAY JUN AFRICA SHOWCASE : RUSSIA March St Petersburg Moscow AFRICA SHOWCASE : UK June London and other key cities JUL AFRICA SHOWCASE : SE ASIA Cities to be confirmed ITB ASIA Singapore AUG SEPT OCT NOV AFRICA SHOWCASE : NORTH AMERICA September Host city to be confirmed AFRICA SHOWCASE : MITTELEUROPA Cities to be confirmed DEC aaxo ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN EXHIBITION ORGANISERS For more info on these opportunities please contact our Project Manager, Michelle de Sousa

3 AFRICA SHOWCASE : NORDICS 27 February to 01 March Copenhagen Oslo Stockholm Travel to Africa is growing significantly from the three major countries making up the Nordic region - Denmark, Norway and Sweden. A strong percentage of the market continues to head to Southern Africa, while bookings for East Africa are also thriving. African specialists in these countries want to expand their product knowledge and increase their Africa sales. Roadshow Format: Trade evenings with speed networking Facilitator: Eva Stenmarck Travel Marketing A well run and executed show, focussing on agents who have a particular interest in Africa. African Scenic Safaris The trip was worth every cent we spent. Namibia Wildlife Resorts ITB BERLIN March Berlin Germany ITB Berlin is where the who s who of tourism meet, where critical trends are scrutinised, and where the latest tourism technology is revealed. Europe is also a particularly mature market for Africa, and Germany leads the tourist arrivals to Southern Africa. So, joining our pavilion will help you get the most out of the world s largest tourism trade fair, with: our own brand identity professional stand image pre-show marketing support exhibitor features on social media German-speaking hostess onsite trade networking drinks Exhibition Format: Premium package, full day package or half day package 3

4 AFRICA SHOWCASE : RUSSIA March St Petersburg Moscow Russia is open for business. It has a massive growing middle-class, and its citizens abroad are among the highest spenders worldwide. Africa is again in vogue, with the visa waiver to South Africa not only changing the game for the immediate region, but for East Africa as well.we ll introduce you to the leading tour operators and agents selling Africa across Russia, to best exploit this burgeoning market. Roadshow Format: Trade events in Moscow and St Petersburg, VIP dinner in Moscow Facilitator: Travel Advance We are looking at specific segments that are activity-and experienceoriented; to do this it is essential to work with agents through the roadshow. Kinasi Lodge Mafia Island I ve already got three agents who have confirmed to work with us so this roadshow has been really productive for us. Gallery Tours / Jafferji House & Spa AFRICA SHOWCASE : EAST AFRICA April Addis Ababa Kampala Nairobi This show is all about Africa meeting Africa. We target the countries with fast economic growth and rising disposable income so you can capitalise on the boom in intra-regional Africa travel, in both the business and leisure sectors. Buyers are handpicked to create a perfect match for exhibitors. Roadshow Format: Daytime trade events with speed networking Facilitator: Twiga Tours The calibre of buyers we met was very high, and we are encouraged by the enquiries we have already received and the relationships we have forged. Africa Albida Tourism Africa is an untapped market for us, and going on this show helped me massively with building a great database. Minor Hotels 4

5 AFRICA SHOWCASE : UK June Manchester Cotswolds London Our matchmaking format for this mature market means you ll be meeting quality buyers who ve been handpicked by our facilitator, because they know Africa well and sell the destination extensively. There are constantly new African operators opening in the UK, with most buyers seeking experience-driven tourism, luxury and authenticity. Roadshow Format: Trade evenings Facilitator: Orbital Communications The audience is exactly who we need to speak to - product managers and sales staff from tour operators and top agents. Ubuntu Experiences I did notice there are more agents and operators starting to sell Africa as a new destination for them, or their Africa department is growing. Steenberg Hotel AFRICA SHOWCASE : NORTH AMERICA September Host city to be confirmed This is going to be a massive milestone for Africa Showcase - 10 years in North America! It has steadily evolved into one of the largest travel trade events focussing on Africa, and has become a staple roadshow for so many of our high-end clients. The affluent segment of the North American market continues to offer new potential through our continually evolving format and bespoke events. Roadshow Format: Watch this space! Facilitator: Under African Skies The buyers invited were not only big names in the industry, but the actual decision makers that attended. Protea Hotels by Marriott & African Pride Hotels The format for 2017, consisting of full day meetings and more informal meetings throughout the evening, worked incredibly well. You get the opportunity to engage with wonderful operators and agents. Airlink 5

6 AFRICA SHOWCASE : S.E. ASIA Cities to be confirmed Many African governments have been turning to Asia to boost economic growth, through a sharing of knowledge and experience, and this is creating a trend in outbound tourism to our continent. Rising demand has made buyers hungry to find more offerings in the popular destinations, but also to uncover opportunities with new destinations. South East Asia is most definitely not one homogenous region, and the nuances of its travellers, vary from one country to the next. The one common key to unlocking potential and building long-term business relationships in this part of the world, is face time. Roadshow Format: Trade events with speed networking. Special access pass for ITB Asia Facilitator: SG Luxe Collection One of the most untapped markets which has potential to grow into a recognisable contributor to Southern Africa. Rainbow Tourism Group I was blown away with how the market has developed and how intrigued the agents were to learn. Askari Lodge & Spa (Guvon Hotel Group) ITB ASIA Singapore This is where Asia-Pacific s leisure, corporate and MICE markets all come together with more than 15,000 pre-scheduled appointments, trend-setting speakers and the world s most influential delegates. Over the past decade we ve seen this show rapidly develop into a truly global event, with tourism technology and digital advancement being high priority. The ratio of buyers to exhibitors is now around 1:1, with 8 out of 10 buyers being the direct decision makers, and around half of them have a purchasing power of between $US500k and US$1-million. Exhibition Format: African pavilion package 6

7 AFRICA SHOWCASE : MITTELEUROPA Cities to be confirmed This will be our fifth year in this traditionally strong, German-speaking, market. Our partnership with South African Airways has given us greater insight and endorsement in the region, allowing us to attract the prominent wholesale operators, and also many new and boutique operators. We specifically target the strongest hubs in the region for maximum exposure, but we also host buyers from other areas to give you extensive coverage. The growing diversity of exhibitors from East and Southern Africa has been hugely welcomed. Roadshow Format: Trade evenings with speed networking Facilitator: Travel Advance I m glad to say we ve started getting a number of serious buyers who are keen to work with us. Kenzan Wildlife Safaris & Kenzan Tented Camps The ideal environment in which to connect with new source markets or to further solidify your presence in an existing market. An African Anthology PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS SATSA is a member-driven, nonprofit association representing the private sector. SATSA members have to conform to the highest standards in the tourism industry, which are checked annually. SATSA has a daily impact on tourism in Southern Africa through its lobbying activities. Recognised as the Voice of African Tourism, African Travel & Tourism Association supports business leaders in Africa and represents the elite buyers and suppliers of tourism product across 22 African countries. Showcasing over 550 members, Atta serves as Pan-Africa s largest network of tourism product. The Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) is a SADC institution responsible for tourism growth and development. The aims of RETOSA are to increase tourist arrivals to the region through sustainable development initiatives, improved regional competitiveness, and effective destination marketing. 7

8 BIG NEWS Africa MICE We re letting you in on the best secret we know you d want to hear. Next year our expert team will be rolling out a road show tailored specifically for hotels, conference centres, convention bureaux, and specialised venues and facilities. Our first markets? Naturally, North America and Europe. The MICE sector is among the most competitive in tourism, and incentive agencies, PCOs and global corporates are continually hunting for new destinations with outstanding facilities, and partner organisers and suppliers that can get the job done. Africa, in general, is fast becoming a sought after destination for business travel from Europe and America, due to growing political stability, good economic growth and an increase in accessibility. Several countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Ghana are actively targeting business tourism as a significant growth driver, but platforms for international buyers to engage in Africa haven t taken off and the distances across the continent are vast. On Show Solutions appointed as Magical Kenya Travel Expo organisers The latest feather in the On Show cap was being appointed by the Kenya Tourism Board to manage their flagship show, MKTE, in We re taking our global expertise and working with local suppliers to reinvigorate what is one of the fastest growing shows in East Africa. We believe our experience on Indaba and Meetings Africa for South African Tourism was a big drawcard, and KTB particularly noticed the work we ve been doing on Africa Showcase, right across the globe. Just some of the innovations we re implementing are exhibitor segmentation, a high impact match-making programme, greater involvement from DMCs and operators for hosted buyers on fam trips, outdoor exhibits for experiential engagement, and interactive areas to showcase the best of East Africa. On Show Solutions is using its tried-and-tested formula of putting products directly in front of selected buyers, in the source market. We offer affordable and seamless solutions to create instant connections that turn into long-lasting, and profitable business relationships. Be among the first to capitalise on what we know will become an indispensable event, by registering your interests with us early. Africa Showcase to forge more global connections We re proud to say we re adding two new focus markets to our roadshows. For a number of years we ve been tracking developments in these areas, we ve listened to our client s needs, we ve scrutinised the logistics and operations with our partners, and now believe the correct elements are aligning, to host Africa Showcase: South European Roadshow - Italy, France & Spain Africa Showcase: West Africa - Ghana & Nigeria If either of these, or both, pique your interest then do let us know. As always, we want these roadshows to return great ROI for you, so all questions and suggestions are welcome. See you on the road! For more info on these opportunities please contact our Project Manager, Michelle de Sousa