Dates For Hotel Investment Conference Africa 2013
Key Actions From SATTIC 2012
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) has confirmed dates for the 7th Hotel Investment Conference Africa (HICA). HICA 2013 will take place in the time slot ahead of the annual Tourism Indaba, on 9 and 10 May in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
HICA is an established business to business networking platform focused on showcasing Southern Africa as a viable investment destination in the hotel and hospitality sector. It is an event which is also dedicated to improving the knowledge-base within the region in terms of building and operating hotel and hospitality facilities. The target audience is local and international investors, hospitality property developers, owners and operators and government leaders and officials operating in the tourism space. The conference is convened by the TBCSA and hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) and the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority (TKZN).
TBCSA Chief Executive Officer, Mmatšatši Ramawela said post the inaugural South African Travel and Tourism Industry Conference (SATTIC) 2012, participation at HICA 2013 is ‘a must’ for businesses wanting to take forward the discussions on how to improve the attractiveness of Southern Africa as a tourist destination amidst increasing competition from countries such as Morocco, Kenya and Thailand. HICA is the platform for those seeking investment opportunities and knowledge about operating in the sector especially in the current economic climate. “Post SATTIC 2012 it is now time to focus on the key resolutions from the conference, one of them being on how we can improve and diversify our tourism product offering by being more innovative – doing things differently. Considering that the hotel industry is at the centre of the tourism value chain, it goes without saying that the discussion on innovation and doing things differently should proceed to HICA” she said.
Ramawela added that the viability of ideas such as the development of new coastal resorts or holiday camps for the lower-end of the market (as suggested at the SATTIC conference) should be explored further and HICA is the correct platform for these discussions to take place.
The two-day conference comprise of a combination of plenary and breakaway sessions and will include popular topics such as the Hotel Performance Barometer from a global and Southern African perspective to update delegates on the state of the industry; the Leaders’ Panel on the Safari Industry, an update on the global and local macro economy and a developers session with special focus on key cities and countries with the region.
Delegates can look forward to the addition of new topics which are in tune with current industry developments. There will be discussions around increasing hotel occupancies, the value of brands; incentives for implementing responsible tourism practices and discussions on how to structure hotel deals and finances, just to mention a few. “We are currently finalising the topics and conference programme to be published on the HICA 2013 website. “Please look out for more information on conference programme, speakers and registration costs from mid-October” concluded Ramawela.
For further information please phone TBCSA offices on 012 654 7525 or visit our website www.hica.co.za. Ends.
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Media enquiries:
TBCSA
Kagiso Mosue
PR and Communications Manager
Tel: (012) 654 7525
Mobile: 073 015 4537
Email: kagiso@tbcsa.travel
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Notes
Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) is a member-based organisation, made up of Tourism Associations as well as leading businesses operating in the travel and tourism industry. The TBCSA originated the HICA concept in 2007, and is the primary driver behind this annual industry conference.
Sector associations affiliated to the TBCSA:
- AHI – Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut
- ASATA – Association of South African Travel Agents
- FEDHASA – Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa
- MTA – Medical Tourism Association
- NAA –SA – National Accommodation Association of South Africa
- RASA – Restaurant Association of South Africa
- SAACI – Southern African Association for the Conference Industry
- SABOA – Southern African Bus Operators’ Association
- SATSA – Southern African Tourism Services Association
- SAVRALA – Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
- SAYTC – South African Youth Travel Confederation
- VOASA – Vacation Ownership Association of South Africa
- ORCSA – Off-Road Council of South Africa
- PHASA – Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa
- FGASA – Field Guides Association of South Africa
TRADE AND INVESTMENT KWAZULU-NATAL (TIKZN)
Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) is a provincial trade and investment promotion agency, developed to promote the province as an investment destination and promote trade by assisting KZN-based companies to identify markets and export their products. TIKZN supports HICA in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority (TKZN)
Kagiso Mosue
PR & Communication Manager
Tourism Business Council of South Africa
Leriba Lodge, 245 End Avenue, Clubview, CENTURION
PO Box 11655, CENTURION, 0046
M:073 015 4530
Email: kagiso@tbcsa.travel
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