Bay to host national tourism conference
HUNDREDS of role players in the tourism industry will flock to Nelson Mandela Bay in July, when the city hosts a national tourism conference.
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism announced yesterday the city had been selected to host the South African Tourism Association conference, due to be held from July 23 to 25.
The conference will be held at the Boardwalk conference centre, where nearly 350 delegates will discuss issues affecting the tourism sector under the theme Transforming Geographical Spread.
Southern Africa Tourism Services Association chief executive David Frost said the Bay was the ideal destination for the conference.
“The city has a vibrant tourism industry with an influx of product development and offerings taking place.”
Frost said the conference would give the city a chance to showcase its attractions to stakeholders from all over the country.
“The Eastern Cape has the product offerings. We are ready to increase visitors to the province through attracting travellers from a larger geographical spread, grow the spend to the product and positively impact the tourism sector contribution to the GDP,” he said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile said: “NMBT was excited to be one of the first sponsors on board for an event of this nature, [which] directly impacts the tourism sector and the positive change that can be effected.
“Furthermore, strategising on positioning and marketing NMB alongside the province as an accessible and affordable destination – which offers tourists an authentic and memorable experience – will result in longer stays and increased spend.”
The conference will begin with a golf day on July 23, as well as an opening food and wine evening. There will be a full-day conference and a hosted dinner on July 24, and another full-day conference on July 25. – Herald Reporter