Researching business tourism
A major research project into all aspects of business tourism will kick off at the Meetings Africa exhibition at the Sandton Convention Centre on 27 and 28 February 2006. The research will investigate business tourism as a niche market to better understand high growth niche tourism segments, opportunities and current supply of product in South Africa.
Department of Trade and Industry Director of Tourism Kate Rivett-Carnac says: "The fund for research for industrial growth and equity has commissioned Grant Thornton and Prodigy Business Services to identify segments that should be prioritised for support.
"The role that the dti can play in the development and marketing of business tourism will be determined. Also of importance are the trends, challenges, size and potential of business tourism in South Africa."
Rivett-Carnac says the annual number of domestic and foreign business tourists in South Africa will be determined, the money that they spend and the expenditure patterns as well as what motivates their consumption pattern: "Business tourism's current value and economic contribution, direct and indirect, to the South African economy, employment quantum and trends and its existing geographic spread as well as its seasonality will also be determined.
"Information on the number, nature, size and value capture of companies operating in business tourism in South Africa is essential."
Managing Director of Thebe Exhibitions and Events Carol Weaving says with close to 150 exhibitors and over 80 international hosted buyers at Meetings Africa, it is the logical place to kick off the research: "The exhibition is a one-stop-shop for both international and local business tourism companies, aiming to make a real difference in their business in future.
"Attendance is pitched at management level which means that strategic research input will be obtained from exhibitors, buyers - local and international - and visitors alike. By applying information gained from sound research into forward-looking strategies, the goal of moving South Africa into the world's top ten preferred business tourism destinations by 2010 could be met sooner than later."
Meetings Africa will be presented in conjunction with the Gauteng Tourism Authority and in association with the Johannesburg Convention Bureau and South African Tourism. International hosted buyers will be sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry.
