World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2020 is set to be the biggest edition of the African continent’s leading B2B Travel Trade Show yet, thanks to a host of exciting innovations, hyper-focussed events and opportunity-enabling partnerships. Here are our top ten reasons to attend WTM Africa 2020. The inaugural WTM Africa Travel & Tourism Awards

The WTM Africa Travel & Tourism Awards seek to reward individuals as well as small and large organisations, for powerful and compelling work in promoting tourism across Africa. Themed “Under African Skies”, WTM Africa seek to celebrate the success of national, regional and city tourist boards and recognize outstanding private sector companies and individuals.

Entries for all 12 categories – from Most Compelling Tourism Story to Most Compelling Foodie Story – are currently open, with campaigns executed in the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, eligible for the 2020 WTM Africa Travel & Tourism Awards. For more details on each category, visit africa.wtm.com/Awards1.

ASATA Travel Agents’ Academy in Partnership with WTM Africa

2020 sees the introduction of the ‘ASATA Travel Agents’ Academy in partnership with WTM Africa, which will take place on 8 April, in the Destination Theatre. The event forms part of the ASATA Professionals’ Program (APP) and will comprise four 45-minute content sessions which will cover topics not currently part of the Program. Attendance (which is free of charge, with pre-registration) will also guarantee participants 20 of the 30 points required for APP graduation. APP is an online system that recognises travel agents’ expertise, qualifications and practical skills to achieve professional recognition by ASATA and ultimately, a professional designation of Travel Practitioner or Travel Advisor. ASATA is the only local travel industry body to be accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority as a professional body. As such, it is the only association that can award a travel consultant a designation. Hosted Buyers

World Travel Market Africa’s Hosted Buyer programme is a facilitated networking package which maximizes business opportunities for qualified buyers, helping grow a network of reliable, high-quality suppliers at the African continent’s premiere B2B travel trade market. With more than 700 exhibiting companies at WTM Africa covering the full spectrum of the travel industry – and just three days to make important contacts – the Hosted Buyer programme is a focussed package that offers exclusive access to a host of events that deliver quality connections.

The Hosted Buyer programme allows participants to enjoy exclusive networking events; save time by meeting and doing business in one place with a range of high quality regional and international suppliers of their choosing; keep up to date with the latest market trends and innovations via presentations from industry leaders and top experts on the Events Programme; share knowledge and thoughts with like-minded travel professionals around the world, gain new insights and develop ideas and gain access to numerous networking platforms which will help cultivate new business contacts. Participation in the Hosted Buyer programme is by invitation only, via an online ‘Registration of Interest’ process and subject to strict qualifying criteria.

IBTM Africa

IBTM Africa is set to grow at WTM Africa 2020, having evolved from a table-top event to a series of high-quality content-driven educational sessions, in the space of just two years. The event is aimed at Corporate Buyers, Corporate Travellers and MICE & Event Professionals and focusses on the challenges facing the meetings & events industry. The expanded format of IBTM Africa will see the event run in a dedicated venue. Register to attend via www.ibtmafrica.com, with participation, free of charge, for registered attendees at WTM Africa 2020. Travel Forward

The 7th edition of WTM Africa is marked by exciting growth, with expanded areas for Travel Forward (formerly the Travel Technology Show). Launched as a platform to inspire the travel and hospitality industry with next generation of technology, Travel Forward focusses on future-proofing travel businesses for the digital age, helping ensure relevance, improve revenue-generating opportunities and provide the opportunity to do one-on-one business with innovative tech providers. Travel Forward will take place in a dedicated space on the show floor at WTM Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, giving participants the opportunity to join sessions focusing on topics pertinent to technology and its influence on the industry, get involved in the interactive exhibition and get their hands on the industry’s latest tech. Take a SETE

The exciting Sports & Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) at WTM Africa also grows in 2020, hosting a full-day conference in the Inspire Theatre. The annual Sports and Events Tourism Exchange, is the only event of its kind in Southern Africa and provides a platform that brings together businesses from the sports, events and tourism industries, SETE encourages collaboration between these sectors. SETE attempts to bridge the gap in the continental market to provide local event organizers and sports industry stakeholders with a platform to showcase their services and network amongst their peers – as well as maximizing tourism potential around these international sporting events.

Seeza Pavilion

World Travel Market Africa and Seeza Destination Network have partnered for #WTMA20 to establish the ‘Seeza Pavilion’. Aimed at developing the Southern Africa SME travel trade space, the Seeza Pavilion will host the organisation’s members & associates and provide an opportunity for them to gain deeper insights into the continental travel industry, as a whole. Seeza Destination Network is a business acquisition and sharing network founded on SME collaboration in the tourism sector across Southern Africa. With partners rooted in communities across 8 countries throughout the region, Seeza offers visitors truly unique and memorable travel experiences with community, cultural and historical deep-dives – alongside established tourist drawcards.

Networking Galore

The two days of Speed Networking sessions at WTM Africa are always hugely popular, with attendees joining queues as soon as the Cape Town International Convention Centre opens its doors, to secure a prime spot to make meaningful business connections with participating exhibitors. The ever-popular Networking Event, which gives WTM Africa attendees the chance to let their hair down and network in a more informal setting, will be taking place at Shimmy Beach Club in 2020. Set on the edge of Cape Town’s vibrant harbour and with the breath-taking Table Mountain as its backdrop, Shimmy Beach Club is Cape Town’s premier ocean-front dining and lifestyle venue. The WTM Africa team is looking forward to welcoming its exhibitors and hosted buyers to this sophisticated, slick and stylish venue of one of the most hotly-anticipated events on the #WTMA20 schedule. Experience a Continent of Cultures in one venue

The popular WTM Africa Festivals give attendees the opportunity to indulge all five senses in immersive, destination-oriented experiences on the event floor after traditional working hours. Expect unique cuisine, dazzling drinks and a slice of local culture to get a different sense of more than 780 participating exhibitors’ offerings. The 2020 edition of WTM Africa takes place in Cape Town from 6-8 April. Find out more about #WTMA20 at http://africa.wtm.com/.

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