The launch of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Africa, Cape Town [ www.iltm.net/africa ] will even include the primary ILTM Africa Forum – a live debate led by a number of Africa’s leading industry figures who will discuss the increase of luxury travel, the failings that this has dropped at the continent, and the way safari tourism has moved upmarket. There’ll even be a key one-on-one interview to be announced within the coming weeks.
The Forum, facilitated by international African Travel Writer, Graham Boynton, will occur before the show opens on Monday, April 8, on the Mount Nelson Hotel, an identical venue because the ILTM Africa showcase. It will become 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. Winde will then be followed by South African author, Clem Sunter, concentrating on Africa’s economic and political health.
Boynton will then facilitate a full of life debate on “The Issues Facing the luxurious Travel Market” taking a look at perception vs. reality – how the exterior world sees Africa – and the impact of modern changes that experience taken place out there, plus how the posh African product has evolved and the main issue of intra-country air connections. Participating should be Tony Romer Lee, CEO, The gathering 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 provides all our participants – exhibitors and hosted buyers – real insights into trends, issues, and successes of the host country in addition some thought provoking take-aways to start their two days of commercial. We’re delighted to welcome Minister Alan Winde and, needless to say, such an influential line-up of speakers for what’s sure to be a full of life and enlightening debate with a view to also give the audience the chance to invite their very own questions from people who are directly serious about the industry luxury tourism.”
In its first year, ILTM Africa 2013 often is the first invitation-only event in Africa to showcase 70 exclusively African travel experiences who will meet with 70 international Hosted Buyers, devoted to creating and planning luxury travel inbound to Africa.
Business appointments are pre-scheduled, matching mutual requests from buyers and exhibitors alike to fulfill on a strict one-to-one ratio. Following the normal ILTM format, both buyers and exhibitors must follow a strict accreditation process so as to participate.