Countdown to International Luxury Travel Market Africa Begins

ILTM Africa is counting the days until its return to Cape Town, with just six weeks to go until the international luxury travel industry meets in Cape Town for the first time since 2019.

ILTM Africa takes place in person from 11 to 13 April, alongside the popular WTM Africa trade show, during Africa Travel Week 2022. For those who may be unable to travel to Cape Town, Africa Travel Week has created a digital event that will run from 4 to 5 April.

The virtual event is exclusive to exhibitors who are also attending the live event. Different buyers will attend the live event and the virtual event meaning that exhibitors will receive marked value with a diverse and enhanced pool of buyers.

During the live event, luxury travel brands, experiences, destinations, and suppliers from all four corners of the world will meet with international travel planners, curators, and agencies once again, taking full benefit of the pre-scheduled, one-no-one appointments.

“We are expecting international visitors and buyers from across the globe with 83% new buyers this year. We’ve seen a strong interest from the USA and from Europe as these markets are in the process of rebuilding a strong tourism industry. Visitors will be able to connect with luxury African tourism brands,” says Megan Oberholzer, RX Africa Portfolio Director Travel, Tourism and Creative Industries.

This year’s ILTM Africa will focus on reigniting each of the five senses to Africa.

“Luxury travel in a multisensory world is all about igniting the senses from the sights of Africa’s incredible fauna and flora to the smell of the African bush, the tastes of our unique cuisine, the feel of a rejuvenating African massage and the sound of our music,” says Oberholzer.

ILTM will kick off with an Opening Forum at The Vineyard’s Summer House on 11 April. This event will set the scene for the days ahead and will take delegates on a thought-provoking journey to explore the future of luxury tourism.

The Opening Forum will be followed by The Garden Party in The Vineyard Gardens. Against the backdrop of Table Mountain, delegates will get a chance to reconnect with old friends and reunite with everyone in the industry.

Three days of extensive networking sessions follow, with hand-picked luxury travel advisors, bespoke appointment programmes as well as a taste of African luxury. On 12 April, guests will be able to enjoy a Diamond Experience and lunch courtesy of Shimansky, an ILTM Africa partner. In the evening, the Rockefeller Hotel will host the #IconsMadeHere party, powered by Shimansky.

On 13 April, guests will go on an African culinary journey at the prestigious GOLD restaurant. This is where Africa’s heartbeat can be felt in all your senses. The event will end with a glamorous send-off at the Southern Sun The Cullinan.

Throughout the ILTM Africa experience, guests will experience African art and fashion with pop-up shops including Crystal Birch, Kat van Duinen, Kelly John Gough, Nature Works by Duncan Butchart.

Decor and home textile will also be on display through African Jacquard, Barrydale Hand Weavers, Cape Alpaca Products, Chic Fusion, Macassar Pottery and Modern Gesture.

ILTM Africa is an event not to missed if you’re working in the luxury travel and tourism space, says Oberholzer:

“ILTM Africa is the show that everyone in the African luxury travel industry wants to be at. The industry’s most influential names become the talk of the town as they create exciting new itineraries, do business, and build lifelong bonds. Three days of high-quality pre-scheduled appointments, educational sessions, networking, parties, and invaluable exposure sum up the incredible ILTM Africa experience. This is a calendar appointment not to be missed. Create memories. Live fast. Live big.”