From 3 6 October 2012, the Joburg Tourism team will be accompanying Executive Mayor, Cllr Parks Tau and other high level city delegates to the inaugural and collaborative showcase of business, tourism, arts and culture in Lagos, Nigeria.
Entitled The Tale of Two Cities this fusion event draws on the similarities between Johannesburg and Lagos their status as a financial and commercial hubs, destination cities and gateways to opposite parts of the African continent, as well as being vibrant melting pots of arts, culture, fashion, film and music. This is an ongoing initiative for an annual event shared by the two cities, with Joburg set to host the bilateral exhibition and conference in 2013.
The comprehensive three day programme for 2012 includes presentations on business, trade and investment opportunities, as well as events dedicated to showcasing music, arts, culture and fashion.
Driven by the SA High Commission in Lagos, with buy in from other partners like SA Tourism and SAA, as well private sector stakeholders like the large hotel groups, the entire focus of the project is to foster bi-lateral relations in trade, investment, tourism and of course, not forgetting civil society, says Phelisa Mangcu, Acting CEO, Johannesburg Tourism Company. As one of the strongest African economies, Nigeria is a valuable continental market for Africa in many respects and we are here to represent everything Joburg has to offer Nigerians from a business, investment, leisure and lifestyle perspective.
The weeks activities include a fashion show, a food and wine festival, as well as collaborative film industry projects. While celebrated SA designer Sista Bucks will be showing her range, the Soweto String Quartet is scheduled to perform at the highlight of the week a music concert featuring notable South African and Nigerian artistes.
The delegation from Johannesburg includes Executive Mayor, Cllr Parks Tau, MMC for Economic Development, Ruby Mathang, as well as the City Manager, Trevor Fowler. The JTC contingent includes the marketing department who will be operating a Joburg Tourism exhibition, while acting CEO Phelisa Mangcu, will be addressing one of the business conference sessions on tourism development driving economic growth through tourism and opportunities in Johannesburg.
JOBURGS GDS 2040
In terms of the city of Johannesburgs Growth and Development Strategy 2040 [www.joburg.org.za/gds2040], tourism remains an economic growth imperative on the citys agenda. It is an important catalyst to encourage the development of the SMME sector in order to stimulate the growth and development of a vibrant second economy. It is the Johannesburg Tourisms strategy to attract increasing visitor numbers Joburg, encourage them to stay longer, spend more, improve seasonality patterns and the spread of visitors across the city.
In line with these developments and as part of the institutional review process to effect closer alignment with City goals, this year Joburg Tourism Company is being incorporated into the Citys Communication & Tourism Group. The GDS is coupled to the citys Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and both are aligned with the National Planning Commissions New Growth Path.
Our ongoing local and international promotional campaigns include exhibiting at business and leisure trade exhibitions where JTC shares its plans to maintain, defend and grow its market share, says Mangcu. As the City of Johannesburgs destination marketing organisation, Joburg Tourism remains focused on positioning the city not only as the continents leading business hub, but also as an exciting, vibrant year-round destination for signature events, lifestyle, the arts, culture, fashion, sports and of course, mega-events.
