(IN SHORT) The OurAfrica.Travel 2024 virtual trade show concluded with remarkable success, boasting increased participation and engagement compared to the previous two years. With 222 exhibitors, 479 buyers, and 23 media attendees from around the world, the event facilitated over 8,500 meetings and exchanged over 44,000 messages over five days. The organizers emphasized the show’s commitment to sustainability and community impact, showcasing 32 charitable causes and donating to two winners selected by participants. Additionally, 36 accommodation prizes were awarded to top-performing buyers, further enhancing the event’s positive impact and spirit of collaboration.
(PRESS RELEASE) Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, 2024-Feb-21 — /Travel PR News/
The SHOW IN NUMBERS
The fifth instalment of the popular OurAfrica.Travel digital trade show took place from 5th – 9th February 2024, showcasing 222 exhibitors and facilitating meetings with 479 buyers and 23 media from around the globe. An impressive 8,510 meetings took place on the platform over the five days (nearly 2000 more than the previous year!), with over 10,000 profile views and 44,291 messages were exchanged on the networking chat. Over 30 news stories were also shared from the exhibitors. Feedback from participants has been very encouraging, starting the trade events season in style – with this growth in numbers across the board reinforcing the need and value of a virtual show.
OurAfrica.Travel 2024 Organisers Storm Napier and Allie Hunt
(Download link)
This year’s show continued with the format of five days of meetings, with the important additional networking opportunities either side of the show. Once again, a week of agent destination training ahead of the show, was hosted by The Africa Hub. Other industry partners for this year included Wetu, ATTA®, Africa’s Eden, Nightsbridge and Umlingo Travel PR. Key sponsors included Destination Africa, We Are Africa, Bahia Mar and Tourplan.
This spirit of collaboration and ubuntu is what makes this virtual show such a success – keeping it affordable, inclusive and accessible to all – not to mention the bonus of its carbon neutral footprint.
POSITIVE IMPACT
OurAfrica.Travel is committed to driving sustainable tourism and giving back to both community and conservation projects. Participants were invited to nominate their favourite charities and grassroots projects – resulting in 32 worthy causes being showcased during the show. A shortlist was voted for by exhibitors and buyers on the event feed and across social media platforms. A final poll was held to pick the two winners, who will each receive a R12,000 donation on behalf of the show. Organisers Storm Napier and Allie Hunt are delighted to announce the winners as:
Community cause – With My Own Two Hands towards providing sustainable clean water and agriculture solutions in East Africa to generate socio-economic opportunities and a more equitable world.
Conservation cause – HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) towards caring for orphaned and displaced elephants, including little Phabeni whose video stole all our hearts this year.
PRIZES FOR AFRICA!
A whopping 36 accommodation prizes were donated by incredibly generous exhibitors to reward and thank some the most active, engaged buyers. Buyers earned points for participating and the top 150 on the leader board went into a luck draw to win stays for two people sharing staying at some of Africa’s most renowned hotels and lodges. Congratulations to all the worthy winners, which have all been showcased on Instagram,
Dagmar Jacisinova from Village Travel in Massachusetts, United States was the winner of the “Sharing a meeting photo” competition, winning herself a US$75 gift voucher for her lovely shot of her meeting with Edwin Steyn from Anderson and Harvey Luxury Safari Outfitters.
QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM SHOW PARTICIPANTS
Thank you for the invitation to attend this year – it was a first and an eye-opener. Met a whole new set of players in the business and made some very good contacts. I will be attending the show next year if you extend the invitation. Peter Moni – Firelight Tours (South Africa)
Bravo on another fabulous OurAfrica.Travel show, ladies! It was a fantastic week, and everything worked perfectly. Thank you for keeping this show running year after year. I’ve participated since the start, exhibiting on behalf of various products, and it’s always a great way to kick off the year! OurAfrica.Travel will always have my support and I will continue to encourage agents to participate. Thanks for all the work you do to provide a platform for the trade to connect with an unbeatably low environmental impact. Emily Johnson – Kamba Africa (US)
I just wanted to thank you for the great organisation and the wonderful show. To have this flexibility and virtual event was the best format as we are very busy planning trips for clients, Thank you for the database as well. It is so useful, Congratulations! Caroline Robin – 360 Luxury Travel (France)
Once again, this show was extremely rewarding for me. The technology is simple, efficient & effective. The possibility of uninterrupted 15 mins interaction with a supplier from the comforts of my own office is indeed a blessing. Thank you for the consistency! Renuka Natu – Africa with Renuka (India)
Want to pop a thank you to you and the whole team for a FABULOUS 1st OurAfrica for both myself and Ludus Magnus. Excellent organisation, prompting and guiding. There was also always quick and patient support for questions when needed! As Ludus Magnus is essentially new to the market, it’s been a highly cost and time effective activity to establish some valuable connections which I don’t doubt will lead to wonderful relationships helping to bring guests to our shores. Julie Glück – Ludus Magnus (First time Exhibitor, South Africa)
OurAfrica Travel ends on a high note ( download link.)
PR CONTACT:
Claire Roadley at Umlingo PR for OurAfrica.Travel on hello@ourafrica.travel / claire@umlingo.co.uk