Far East interested in SA as meetings destination

Gilfellan says the following trends were evident at AIME, 3-4 March 2010:

• The global meetings and incentive industry is picking up after one of its worst economic recessions. A year ago, the word ‘incentive' was only whispered in the corridors, at AIME it is firmly back on the tourism agenda.
  
• There is interest in Africa, South Africa and Cape Town as a new or alternative business tourism destination for people from China, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Although the safety and security issue is raised, it is much more subtle and instead transport logistics, airfares and accommodation prices are dominating the enquiry lists.
  
• Companies from India and China are keener to work with government agencies for two reasons: trustworthiness and the possibility of financial and logistical support to set up business tourism infrastructure in these destinations.

This year's AIME was attended by 6000 delegates and was held at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Melbourne, Cape Town, San Juan, Copenhagen, Dubai, Vancouver, Edinburgh and Singapore are the only members of the esteemed Best Cities Global Alliance, a networking and quality assurance institution for Convention Bureaus.

Hot leads for 2010