Why Johannesburg will be the focus for thousands of Africa’s hospitality professionals this June
AFRICA HOSPITALITY Week 2018 brings three exciting exhibitions and two conferences under one roof all to serve sub-Saharan Africa’s growing hotel, restaurant and catering sectors.
Details have been revealed this week of Africa Hospitality Week 2018, which brings together the suppliers, buyers and thought leaders to South Africa from 24-26 June.
With 63 million international arrivals in Africa last year, up eight percent year-on-year and larger than the world average, the hospitality sector is one of the continent’s biggest commercial successes, and it’s set to continue.
Global brands are opening new hotels in unprecedented numbers and 2017’s big hitters were Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, Pearl of Africa Hotel, Dubai-based luxury resort company One&Only, and America’s luxury chain, Marriot. And that investment and growth is continuing in 2018.
African Hospitality Week 2018 brings together the world’s leading suppliers with more than 15,000 decision makers at Africa’s three key exhibitions:
• The Hotel Show Africa brings global exhibitors showcasing products across interiors, lighting and design, technology, security, catering equipment and more
• Africa’s Big 7 is the continent’s leading food & beverage event since 2001 where visitors source new ingredients, finished products, processing, packaging and logistics solutions
• And new for 2018, iHost is the showcase for suppliers of innovative technologies and equipment for foodservice, catering and back-of-house operations.
“Hotel room numbers has been growing strongly thanks to increased investment, and visitor numbers are up with a more than 70-percent occupancy across East, West and Southern Africa this year,” said Christine Davidson, Vice President of dmg events, organiser of Africa Hospitality Week 2018.
But the growth is not solely in the luxury sector, says Davidson: “Alongside new four and five-star hotels we have seen investors are turning their attention to mid-scale market development opportunities.”
Africa Hospitality Week 2018 includes two conferences which run over the three days bringing expert speakers and panelists from around the world to The Hospitality Leadership Forum and The Food Leadership Forum.