SATSA’s 2023 Conference a huge success as ‘Partnerships for Action’ takes centre stage
The key goal for SATSA’s 2023 Conference was to forge new and strengthen existing ‘Partnerships for Action’ that would enable industry to go from ‘talk’ to ‘walk’. Without a doubt, this goal was achieved over the weekend of 6 and 7 May.
It was incredible to have industry experts and leaders from both the public and private sector in the room, openly engaging on topics of importance such as – our shared vision, the challenges we face and opportunities for South Africa’s Tourism industry.
We are all Team South Africa, and we must unite to deliver one key message, ensuring that Destination South Africa remains competitive. South Africa has it all and should always be considered as a destination of choice. However, we need to change the narrative and we believe that the conference set this ball in motion.
As heard in the corridors of a bustling 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba, it was the perfect start to a week of marketing our destination. Industry got an opportunity to unite, “lift their tails”, and stand proudly behind our offering.
The aim: A shared vision. A shared goal, A shared action plan.
Here’s what happened at SATSA’s ‘Partnerships for Action’ Conference on Day 1.
We kicked off SATSA’s ‘Partnerships for Action’ 2023 Conference with an opening address by Mandisa Magwaxaza, SATSA Co-Vice Chair, SATSA Eastern Cape Chapter Chair as well as a welcome address by Oupa Pilane, SATSA Chair and David Frost, SATSA CEO.
“Let our love for South Africa guide us and fuel us and be our motivation to achieve the shared ambition that we will agree upon during this weekend.”
Because it is vital to align industry and to stay true to the message of collaboration, we are happy to share recordings of the most pertinent panels. Today we include the address from Tim Harris, our work on the Tourism Business Incubator and Tourism Sustainability, Access, Inclusivity & Diversity. Tune in tomorrow for the riveting session with the Minister of Tourism.
An International Perspective - Australia & New Zealand
Peter Shelley, Managing Director of Australian Tourism Export Council and Lynda Keene, Chief Executive at Tourism Export Council of New Zealand joined us online to discuss the collaborative approach between private and public sectors in their respective markets. Peter and Lynda shared the journey of opening up their markets after COVID and challenges faced. The key message delivered, was that there are a number of similarities between our markets and that private sector has to have a seat at the table when it comes to decisions made on the future of tourism.
Thought Leaders Industry Insight
Our panel of industry experts unpacked the South African Tourism landscape and how this has transformed over the past few years, as we exited the COVID pandemic. Panellists agreed that the upper end market had rebounded much faster and that East African markets had recovered quicker than South Africa. Challenges such as airfares prices and the lack of capacity to deal with enquiry volumes was discussed, as well as some of the opportunities we have to embrace such as digitisation, enhanced customer profiling and placing the consumer at the heart of everything we do. Panellists were clear that we have to change the narrative and that private and public sector have to sing off the same hymn sheet, ensuring that Destination South Africa remains competitive.
State of Tourism We were delighted to welcome Tim Harris, Chair, Interim SA Tourism Board at South African Tourism as he provided his thoughts and insights into the state of tourism in South Africa. During his address, Tim added: “Bottom line is we have one South Africa. This conference has been a partnership between SATSA and SA Tourism. We can continue with this way of working. Together we can do great things.” |
