Tourism Update readers generally agree that in-person trade shows still play a crucial role in marketing strategies – almost one third of respondents to our latest poll do not prefer digital engagement platforms.
Following a recent column by African Safari Collective MD Quentin Vivier, the majority of respondents to our poll (54%) stressed that digital engagement platforms and trade shows are equally important marketing strategies. Another 18% believe digital engagement platforms are more effective and cost-efficient than trade show attendance but 28% disagree.
Does SA need more Club Meds?
The upcoming opening of Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari has been rightly acclaimed as one of the country’s most significant tourism developments in decades and a signal of investor confidence.
At the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, discussions about the development included the idea of rolling out similar projects across South Africa. However, BON Hotels CEO Guy Stehlik pointed out that limited suitable locations for such developments, combined with the unique complexities of investing and operating in South Africa, raise questions about harnessing the Club Med model to resolve widespread concerns about the geographic spread of tourism.
“If geographic spread is genuinely the ambition, then using a highly specific, premium resort as the reference point starts to muddy the message,” said Stehlik.
Do you agree with Stehlik or are you optimistic that large-scale resorts hold the key to broadening tourism across the country?
Our poll question this week is:
