A third day has been added to World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2015, while next year’s show will be attended by 250 hosted buyers, Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced.
Sheree Simpson, GM for WTM Africa at Thebe Reed Exhibitions, told members of the industry at an event in Johannesburg this week that WTM Africa was unique in that it was both and inbound and outbound show. “There is no other show in South Africa that has your inbound and outbound buyer,” she said. She added that domestic retail agents and corporate travel buyers would also be in attendance.
Simpson emphasised that hosted buyers are carefully selected. “These buyers are handpicked. They are vetted and they need to meet a strict criteria.” Simpson said that Thebe Reed ensures hosted buyers honour all their scheduled appointments, adding that at this year’s show, one of the hosted buyers was sent home for not honouring commitments.
According to Simpson, the show will also feature three speed networking sessions, prior to the opening of the show, where exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet with hosted buyers as well as members of the WTM Buyers Club for a few minutes. These five-minute sessions allow buyers and exhibitors to gauge compatibility and schedule an appointment during the show if they wish.
WTM Africa 2014 will take place from April 15 – 17, 2015 as part of Africa Travel Week, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) and Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings (IBTM), which are also part of Africa Travel Week, will take place concurrently from April 13 – 15, also at the CTICC.
