Nandipha Zonela, Chairperson of the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) Board, is concluding her leadership of a key delegation at the prestigious 63rd Annual International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress. Held from 20-23 October 2024 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this global event provided a platform for JTC to reinforce Johannesburg’s position as a top business tourism destination.
As a member of ICCA through its business events unit, the Johannesburg Convention Bureau, JTC plays a critical role in the global meetings industry. ICCA is a knowledge powerhouse for international association meetings, with over 1,100 members across nearly 100 countries. Among the 200 ICCA-affiliated convention bureaus globally, JTC is an active participant in the ICCA African Chapter, which represents over 40 organisations from 10 countries. These members cover a wide range of stakeholders including conference managers, venues, hotels, airlines, and professional conference organisers.
“Participation in the ICCA Congress is integral to positioning Johannesburg as a leading destination for business tourism,” stated Zonela. “This event offers a unique opportunity for Joburg Tourism to deepen its understanding of the MICE sector, secure business leads, and forge global partnerships. With officials from the Johannesburg Convention Bureau engaging in educational sessions on bidding guidelines, destination marketing, and ICCA data research, JTC is sharpening its competitive edge in the global business tourism space.”
Key outcomes from Joburg’s participation include:
- Elevating Johannesburg’s profile as a premier destination for business tourism.
- Strengthening partnerships with global industry stakeholders.
- Securing new MICE business leads.
- Gaining strategic insights from educational sessions to enhance marketing strategies.
- Attending the ICCA Africa Chapter meeting to bolster regional collaborations.
This effort is set to increase the number of visitors to Johannesburg from 2 million to 2.2 million, with an anticipated economic impact of R105 million from MICE activities. Additionally, the goal is to secure at least three new MICE events for the city.
JTC’s participation also aims to unlock further tourism opportunities, benefiting small businesses and the local workforce. By promoting Johannesburg as both a business and leisure destination, JTC engaged strategic partners to present the city’s diverse offerings to key international markets, including Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, and emerging markets like China and Russia.
Through this global outreach, JTC is stimulating economic growth by attracting more visitors and supporting the local economy. By attending the ICCA Congress, Joburg Tourism reaffirms its commitment to positioning the city as a highly competitive, business-friendly destination that leverages international platforms to drive sustainable tourism growth.
The JTC delegation includes CEO Thandubuhle Mgudlwa, CFO Nselelo Nxasana, and Rendani Khorommbi, Senior Manager for MICE.
For more information about Joburg Tourism and upcoming events, visit website visit.joburg