The launch of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Africa, Cape Town, the first event of its kind on the African continent kicks off with the ILTM Africa Opening Forum – a live debate led by some of Africa’s leading industry figures who will discuss the rise of luxury travel, the issues that this has brought to the continent, and how safari tourism has moved upmarket.
With overwhelming support from luxury travel experiences across the African continent and fully booked with 70 participants, all of whom represent the most authentic and diverse range of elite travel products and services. Many of these participants will be exhibiting at a trade show for the first time and will join Hosted Buyers who also have not attended an event of this kind in Africa before – 37% of these will attend an ILTM event for the first time.
Visit Africa Travel Week in 2014
The Forum, facilitated by international African Travel Writer, Graham Boynton will take place before the show opens on Monday 8th April at the Mount Nelson Hotel, the venue for the ILTM Africa showcase. The first day of ILTM Africa 2013 culminates in a Gala Dinner hosted by the Cellars Hohenort.
The forum will be in two parts and starts with Minister Alan Winde, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism for the Western Cape Government, who will give an insight into the infrastructure and tourism assets of his region and beyond. Followed by South African author Clem Sunter, focusing on Africa’s economic and political health.
Boynton will then facilitate a lively debate on “The Issues Facing The Luxury Travel Market” looking at perception vs reality – how the outside world sees Africa - and the impact of recent changes that have taken place in the market, plus how the luxury African product has evolved and the key issue of intra-country air connections. Taking part will be Tony Romer Lee – CEO, The Collection by Liz McGrath; Adrian Gardiner – Founder & CEO, Mantis Group and Beks Ndlovu – CEO, African Bush Camps.
ILTM’s Exhibition Director, Alison Gilmore commented: “The point of the ILTM forum concept is to kick off an event with some content and debate that gives all our participants – exhibitors and hosted buyers – real insights into trends, issues and successes of the host country as well as some thought provoking take-aways to begin their two days of business.
We are delighted to welcome Minister Alan Winde and of course such an influential line up of speakers for what is bound to be a lively and enlightening debate that will also give the audience the opportunity to ask their own questions from those that are directly involved in the industry luxury tourism”.
The inaugural ILTM Africa 2013 the first invitation only event in Africa to showcase 70 exclusively African travel experiences who will meet with 70 international Hosted Buyers, dedicated to creating and planning luxury travel inbound to Africa.
Business appointments are pre-scheduled, matching mutual requests from buyers and exhibitors alike to meet on a strict one-to-one ratio. Following the traditional ILTM format, both buyers and exhibitors must follow a strict accreditation process in order to participate.
For further information, please visit www.iltm.net/africa
ILTM Africa will host international VIP buyers from major markets including the USA, Europe and Brazil, each with a specialism in Africa, personally invited and verified to ensure their luxury travel credentials are of the highest standard. The event matches mutual requests from both buyers and exhibitors to meet on a one-to-one basis to build business opportunities and communities.
Muriel Minnell Falck, CEO & Executive Director of Argentina’s Sundance Tours, a specialist in Africa’s exotic destinations commented: “There are Africa luxury specialists all over the world who have long needed a dedicated forum at which to meet solely high end African product, from the established to the smaller, lesser-known brands. ILTM Africa is extremely promising and we are very much looking forward to being part of its launch in April and meet with exhibitors who would mutually benefit from forging new relationships.”
Like all other ILTM events, ILTM Africa will feature a detailed programme of social networking opportunities. In addition, the ILTM Africa Opening Forum will reflect both regional and global key luxury travel trends and issues, in a series of live interviews and debates.
Alison Gilmore, ILTM Exhibition Director said: “Our pre-event research was clearly extremely accurate - the overwhelming interest in ILTM Africa since we launched such a short time ago, shows just how much demand there is for an event that focuses exclusively on the high-end market.The global portfolio of ILTM events are about addressing the needs of both the buyers and suppliers and the response we have received will help ILTM Africa to grow in 2014.”
About ILTM
International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) and ILTM Asia are the leading annual business to business events for the global luxury travel community, bringing together the world’s most sought after destinations, ultra-luxurious accommodation, elite transportation and unique travel experiences showcased for the most discerning luxury travel buyer via an unrivalled pre-scheduled appointment system and effective networking and information opportunities.ILTM – which invites only the most discerning buyers from across the world – takes place in Cannes, 2 - 5 December 2013; ILTM Asia – which selects buyers from across the Asia Pacific – takes place in Shanghai, 3 - 6 June 2013 and ILTM Americas – a one-to-one summit for travel agents from North, Central and South America – takes place at Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico, 30 September - 3 October 2013. A similar niche event ILTM Japan – inviting both Japanese and international buyers - launched 11 – 13 March 2013 in Kyoto; ILTM Africa will launch 8-9 April 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa profiling African product and inviting international buyers and ILTM Spa will take place in London from 30th September – 2nd October 2013.
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