Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all African trade shows this year have been cancelled. Yet many businesses in the travel trade desperately need an alternative way to engage with the market.
Enter OurAfrica Travel 2020, a virtual ‘travel show’ that connects global buyers and African suppliers. The platform is both cost-effective and easy-to-use, giving travel products from all over Africa the opportunity to connect with African specialists from around the world.
The platform is both cost-effective and easy-to-use, giving travel products from all over Africa the opportunity to connect with African specialists from around the world.
The functionality of OurAfrica.Travel 2020 includes an ‘exhibition’ component for buyers to find relevant suppliers, made easy with a sophisticated filtering system, as well as matchmaking with the option to schedule one-on-one, face-to-face virtual meetings.
Co-founder Storm Napier says, “OurAfrica.Travel is a new, affordable way to reignite and reunite Africa with the world – and the reaction has been incredible. Some of the first supporters of OurAfrica.Travel 2020 included recognised names such as New Frontiers, Escape & Explore, Wilderness Safaris, Triumph Travel, Singita, Red Carnation Hotels, Jamala Madikwe, Mosaic Lagoon Lodge, Onguma, Chiwani Safari Camps, Time+Tide, Rovos Rail, and we now have over 150 exhibitors registered from countries across Africa.”
“We now have over 150 exhibitors registered from countries across Africa.”
All participating exhibitors have invited their local and international buyer partners, including tour operators, travel agencies and MICE organisers who sell Africa.
So far, over 300 buyers have signed up including: Private Safaris Switzerland, Swain Destinations, Swagman, FTI Touristik, Lusso and The Africa Adventure Company.
The show will take place over 16 days in August 2020, and is scheduled to accommodate the time zones of each region. A ‘Global Saturday’ has also been set aside for each region, in case of overflow appointments.
Dates for the shows are as follows:
- Australia, New Zealand & Asia Pacific: 11 – 13 August, Global Saturday on 15 August
- North America, South America & Canada: 17 – 21 August, Global Saturday on 22 August
- Europe, United Kingdom, Ireland & Africa: 24 – 28 August, Global Saturday on 29 August
Allie Hunt, another co-founder, says, “We are travel ready. This forum has been created as a gathering of the most passionate, determined and resilient people across the travel industry. In the wake of the pandemic, we want to re-unite, re-connect and re-commit by establishing new relationships and help exhibitors and buyers to do business.”
“This forum has been created as a gathering of the most passionate, determined and resilient people across the travel industry. In the wake of the pandemic, we want to re-unite, re-connect and re-commit by establishing new relationships and help exhibitors and buyers to do business.”
Exhibitor numbers will be limited, and booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The early-bird fee is R899 (payment needed by 15 July 2020). The on-line calendars to book appointments will open on 1 August 2020, when exhibitors will be able to upload marketing collateral and browse all buyers.
For buyers, participation is free for up to three persons per company, and R249 per person thereafter. Given that there are no travel costs, attending OurAfrica.Travel 2020 is bargain. To register as a buyer, click here.
The organisers will monitor the platform to ensure that booked meetings are honoured.
For more information, visit ourafrica.travel.
