Africa Travel Week (ATW) is blitzing into Tourism Month with the launch of their Meetings & Masterclasses: a virtual offering set to keep the industry engaged and connected during the build-up to their live event at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 0709 April 2021.

ATW comprises World Travel Market Africa (WTM), International Luxury Travel Market Africa (ILTMA), EQUAL Africa, ibtm Africa and Travel Forward, a string of B2B trade shows expected to generate an estimated $451-million worth of business at the 2020 edition, which was postponed until April next year.

At the heart of our efforts to reimagine the live shows lies a common goal of #makingtravelhappenagain. In other words, giving tourism a real chance to recover, and offering stakeholders every opportunity to rebuild their business ties and networks within the sector, explains Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism and Creative Industries at Reed Exhibitions.

The result is their online platform, Africa Travel Week Connect, and Meetings & Masterclasses a series of virtual sessions running from September to October.

Weve moved away from panels and PowerPoints. Instead, were tapping into our solid network of industry experts and experienced travellers who can share their insider tips and help businesses strike the right balance between implementing necessary safety measures and delivering authentic experiences, she explains.

Part one will focus on how businesses can better position themselves within new or often overlooked market segments predicted to travel first to Africa as restrictions ease. It kicks off with The Luxury Traveller on 09 September, led by luxury traveller and consultant, Anthony Berklich, who is currently visiting Kenya and whose travels average around 200,000 miles per year and tally to over 80 countries.

This session will be followed by The African Diaspora traveller on 15 September with Naledi Kabo, CEO of the African Tourism Association and The LGBTQ+ traveller on 16 September with Tanya Churchmunch, the founder of MuchPR, an independent PR firm focusing on travel, lifestyle and LGBTQ markets.

The Post-COVID traveller on 17 September will be hosted by special guest, Anita Mendiratta, strategic advisor to the Secretary General of the UNWTO, The World Bank Group, WTTC, IATA and ATAG in Tourism, Aviation and Development.

In addition to ATWs Meetings & Masterclasses, the travel and tourism community can also sign-up for WTM Virtual. This two-day event organised by WTM London will run from 0204 November and is filled to the brim with virtual networking sessions, conferences, and roundtable discussions.

Designed for those who cant travel to the live show in London, this virtual show will be based on one platform, leveraging the global reach of Reed Exhibitions, and welcoming all of the WTM shows exhibitors and buyers, says Oberholzer, It is set to be one of the largest gatherings of travel professionals from around the world.

And while the digital experience of ATWs Meetings & Masterclasses will bring together a range of travel operators, lodge owners, media and travel marketers seeking to learn, engage and connect this Tourism Month, Oberholzer emphasises that it is not meant to replace live trade shows, but rather enhance the synergy between physical and digital events and opportunities.

The conversations with our international buyers from South Africa and Africas top source markets have been ongoing, and the feedback as to their attendance at the live show is a resounding yes. It all just depends on the travel advisories in place during that time.

On the live show front, Oberholzer explains that while Reed Exhibitions is working hard to ensure that the venue retains all the magic of the travel marketplace feel, the safety of the attendees remains their number one priority.

The format for the 2021 trade shows is expected to change, allowing for greater distance between stands and seating areas. We are fortunate, says Oberholzer, That a venue like the CTICC in our Host City of Cape Town offers multiple venue spaces and facilities in one location for ease of access and greater networking opportunities.

We hope that Tourism Month coinciding with our industrys gradual recovery at the start of spring, along with our Meetings & Masterclasses will give our industry a much-needed boost to become travel and trade show ready, she concludes.

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Africa Travel Week focuses on creating opportunities for the industry this Tourism Month - Travel Daily News International