South African Tourism showcased its MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) prowess at the 2024 Corporate Think Tank held at Le Meridien Delhi, an event brought to life by senior corporate travel leaders of India’s thriving capital city – New Delhi.
Reiterating its commitment to the Indian business and MICE travel segment, South African Tourism took forward its second Corporate Think Tank in this year’s series, an integral part of South African Tourism‘s Corporate MICE program.
The event took place at Le Meridien in the capital city on 23rd February 2024.
The corporate outreach program has proved to be a major success for the tourism board and has become a powerful platform to explore business and corporate event opportunities for South Africa.
Engagement programs like Corporate Think Tank sessions set the ground for quick recall and are particularly aimed at capitalizing on the growing demand for MICE tourism. It has served as an important component of the South African Tourism Board’s well-developed strategy and allowed them to directly communicate with the decision-makers responsible for their company’s corporate travel purchasing and address their needs.
India is amongst the largest markets contributing to inbound incentives for travel in South Africa.
Demonstrating marked success following the previous editions, Corporate Think Tank programmes have emerged as an essential platform for South African Tourism to understand and simplify corporate travel needs for Indian businesses.
Hosting such events enables the tourism board to connect with decision-makers and solidify its relationships.
Owing to attractive exchange rates in comparison with USD ($1 = 82.70 INR approx.) and GBP (£1 = 105.50 INR approx.) the Rainbow Nation remains one of the most affordable and accessible international destinations, with 1 ZAR valued at just 4.40 INR approximately. Besides, the tourism board has observed a visible appetite for South Africa as an incentive destination against the backdrop of increased focus on such travel programmes by Indian corporations.
Organized by OptiMICE Events Pvt Ltd, these sessions have been specifically curated to be interactive and encourage a healthy free-flowing exchange of ideas amongst the attendees and South African Tourism.
Led by Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India and South-East Asia, South African Tourism the Corporate Think Tanks are specifically curated to be highly interactive and encourage attendees to participate in a healthy free-flowing discussion.
“At a time when outbound tourism from India is firing on all cylinders, engagement sessions such as these assist in setting the ground for quick recall and are particularly aimed at capitalising on the growing demand in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions travel segment,” said Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India and South-East Asia, South African Tourism.
The conversations during the session touched upon varied subjects from South Africa’s infrastructure in accommodating corporate travellers, closed-door meetings and seminars to the destination’s USP for incentive-led travel.
The highlight of the Delhi Corporate Think Tank 2024 was the invaluable opportunity it presented for South African tourism representatives to engage directly with premier MICE buyers from the Delhi market.
Neliswa Nkani captivated attendees with a compelling keynote address, shedding light on South Africa‘s unparalleled potential as a destination for MICE events. This gathering fostered a dynamic two-way dialogue between South African tourism delegates and corporate buyers, with discussions encompassing critical aspects such as visa processes, flight costs, and the vast array of MICE destinations within South Africa, along with detailed insights into the country’s hotel and convention offerings. This exchange not only deepened understanding but also paved the way for forging substantial business connections.
South Africa boasts some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, thrilling 3,000+ adventure activities catering to millennials, and mesmerizing wildlife encounters. Employees arriving on incentive trips are presented with many opportunities, from surfing through wildlife safaris, road-tripping famous routes or basking in the nation’s natural beauty, all within a week.
Understanding the importance of quick turnarounds, South African Tourism processes corporate visas within 5-7 working days. The country has a glowing track record and has successfully addressed the MICE travel needs of renowned Indian corporations across India in the past.
Moderated by Kamal Gill, Director, OptiMICE Events Pvt Ltd the discussions covered a wide range of subjects including the upcoming employee engagement cycle, USPs of South Africa for MICE groups, the support offered by the tourism board as well as the activities that can be explored by potential MICE groups in the new era.
“India holds a position of strategic importance for South African Tourism and has cemented itself among the top three growth markets. The country’s growth over the recent years has outperformed many nations and displayed remarkable resilience. Being the Capital of India, Delhi is a city of foremost significance in realising the tourism board’s MICE arrivals targets from India.,” said Kamal Gill, Director, OptiMICE Events Pvt Ltd.
Overall, South Africa welcomed 79,774 Indian travellers last year, marking an increase of 43% in visitors from India on a year-on-year basis. Notably, 46% of overall travellers were motivated by business travel of which MICE alone attracted 21% signifying its underlying potential. To further propel this momentum, the tourism board will continue with its efforts to improve accessibility and encourage dialogues aimed at establishing direct air connectivity to boost tourism and trade between the two nations.
About South African Tourism:
South African Tourism is the tourism marketing arm of the South African government. Simply put, their job is to promote the country domestically and internationally, whether for leisure, business, or events tourism. As a government body, they are committed to meaningfully contributing to the South African government’s objectives of inclusive economic growth, sustainable job creation, and redistribution and transformation of the industry.
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