Bureau launches new meetings guide for KZN

It also introduces the services of the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, details on possible incentive and pre and post conference tours and introduces the concept of responsible business tourism practice.

This publication was made possible through a special budget provided by the province's Department of Economic Development and Tourism and by Azalea Publications in raising additional advertising revenue to cover the costs of the production.

IMEX launch

The aim was to launch the publication of this guide just before IMEX, which is held in Frankfurt, Germany from 24-26 May 2011. The Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau will be part of the South African exhibition stand or pavilion at this show.

Download this guide (size: 5.85 MB)

Other milestones

The Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau has contributed to various improved tourism rankings and events

Durban improved its International Congress and Convention (ICCA) ranking, in terms of regional and international meetings hosted that exceed 50 delegates and have rotated between more than three countries. Results just released show its 2010 ranking as 178, up from 231 in 2009, passing Johannesburg at 196. Cape Town remains South Africa's most important city in terms of this ranking, however its ranking dropped from 35 in 2009 to 41 in 2010.

One of the core reasons for the improvement in this ranking was that the bureau set out to ensure that all meetings that qualify for ICCA ranking were submitted to this organisation, as one of its initial goals.

The bureau also made a significant contribution to the organisation of the inaugural Seatrade Africa Cruise Tourism Forum, held at Fairmont Zimbali Resort from 10-12 May 2011, which was attended by 10 of the most important cruise tourism executives and over 150 delegates from Africa.

It contributed to the efforts of the students of the Durban University of Technology in winning the right to host the 2013 World Congress of Chiropractic Students. This conference is expected to attract in excess of 200 delegates from all over the world.