The fourth OurAfrica.Travel virtual trade show is set to run from February 20 to 24, offering an affordable and accessible opportunity for the African and Indian Ocean islands travel trade to connect with global buyers and media.
OurAfrica.Travel organisers, Allie Hunt and Storm Napier, said this year the trade show would see meetings condensed into five days rather than two weeks, and running almost 24 hours a day to accommodate the different time zones. Meetings will also be extended to 20 minutes to allow for more strategic partnership and media conversations.
As in previous years, there will be no participation cost for journalists, travel buyers, tour operators, travel agents and destination specialists. Online calendars open next month and participants have complete control over their diaries.
“The opportunities for networking on the platform before, during and after the show are also fantastic. There are also daily news flashes highlighting stories of interest should the trade wish to connect,” said the organisers.
The show will again be almost carbon neutral and raise funds to make a positive impact on conservation and community. Part of the proceeds will be donated to two nominated charities.
The recipients for 2022 were For Rangers, which raises funds for anti-poaching rangers across Africa in partnership with Save the Rhino and the Mukambi Community School in Zambia’s Kafue National Park.
Previous winners have included Holly Budge’s How Many Elephants and Foxes’ Community and Wildlife Conservation Trust in Tanzania. Accommodation prizes will also be awarded to the most engaged agents, operators and media on the platform. There will be no minimum meetings required by the trade to participate.
Exhibitors already confirmed include Asilia Africa, Bushtops Camps, Cheetah Plains, Chiwani Safari camps, Grootbos, Inspirational Places, Ker & Downey Botswana, Lion Roars, Machaba Safaris, Madikwe Safari Lodge, MalaMala, Mantis Collection, Mashatu, Onguma, Robin Pope Safaris, Sala Beach House, Shamwari, South African Tourism, The Liz McGrath Collection, The Oyster Collection, Thornybush, Weeva and the Zanzibar Collection.
The March 2022 show clocked up 9 794 one-to-one meetings across various time zones over two weeks – as well as over 51 000 networking chats and 128 000 profile visits – connecting over 500 buyers from around the globe with 240 exhibitors based in Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.