The event brought together leaders from the tourism industry, government, and private sector to discuss the potential of partnerships that walk the talk so that tourism emerges as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

Oupa Pilane, Co-Chair of SATSA, emphasised the need for a shift in mindset and a more positive approach to engaging with the government. “As social partners, we need government to begin to trust us. Trust us so that we can grow tourism. We lay a foundation through structured engagement to deliberate on the best models on which we can all play for the same team – Team South Africa,” said Pilane.

A range of topics were discussed during the event, including sustainable and inclusive tourism development, SATSA’s tourism incubator, the extent of digitalisation in the tourism value chain, adventure tourism and trends in several of South Africa’s key source markets.

David Frost, CEO SATSA, also shared his pride in SATSA being an egalitarian organisation that speaks truth to power and fosters partnerships. “Our mantra for this conference is one team, one goal. Let’s play the same game,” he added.

One of the key challenges identified was the need for greater visibility in international marketplaces and addressing issues such as air capacity, reputational damage, and infrastructure constraints.

The conference concluded with a commitment to working together towards a common goal, with Tim Harris, acting chair of South African Tourism, stating, “Bottom line is we have one South Africa. The conference has been a partnership between SATSA and SA Tourism. We can continue with this way of working. Together we can do great things.”

Addressing delegates, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille outlined her departments four key priorities and welcomed SATSA member input in achieving these. Among these was a call for input into a draft master plan guiding the tourism industry’s recovery.

SATSA remains dedicated to fostering collaboration and driving positive change in South Africa’s tourism industry, with a focus on an inclusive industry, sustainable growth and development. To that end, the conference also saw a robust discussion around a National Tourism Inclusivity Pledge, encouraging delegates to pledge themselves to building an inclusive industry.

ABOUT SATSA

SATSA, the voice of inbound tourism, is a member-driven association that offers inbound tourism services companies the highest level of quality in the tourism industry.

At SATSA, we strive to maintain our three key qualities in all of the work we do: credibility, value and authority.

As an organisation, our members undergo a strict admission process that ensures peace of mind for those who seek to do business with credible tourism partners. SATSA members are required to sign a strict Code of Conduct and are required to submit updated documentation annually.

SATSA further provides support to members who require key services and benefits on a local and regional level, and at international trade shows. The organisation also lobbies issues associated and affecting the inbound tourism industry.

Industry leaders, experts and business owners will get together for two days of collaborative discussions centred around the theme “From Talk to Walk”. Attendees will gain valuable insights from these discussions and leave with practical tools and strategies to take their businesses to the next level.

On the first day, attendees will hear from international guest speakers, Peter Shelley and Lynda Keene, who will discuss the secrets behind the successful collaborative approach between public and private sectors in their markets. Other notable speakers on the first day include Peter Dros, Martin Wiest, Jerry Mabena, Lindelwa Isabelle and Maija de Rijk-Uys.

On the second day of the conference, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa and Nomasonto Ndlovu will lead the ‘Scene Setting – Structured Engagement’ session, where attendees will learn how SA Tourism and the private sector can work together to target specific source markets and market segments for maximum impact. Other sessions on the second day include discussions on the United Kingdom, North American and German target markets for inbound tourism to South Africa, as well as a session on the National Tourism Code of Conduct.

This year’s conference is made possible thanks to the support of partners like South African Tourism, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Durban Tourism, Tourism Business Council of South Africa, MLT Car Hire & Tours, Payfast and Morgenhof Estate. With the support of this diverse group of public and private organisations, the conference promises to be a dynamic and engaging forum for collaboration and innovation.

“We are thrilled to have such a diverse group of sponsors supporting the SATSA 2023 Partnerships for Action Conference,” said David Frost, CEO of SATSA. “Their support reflects the importance of this event to the tourism industry in South Africa, and we are grateful for their commitment to making it a success.”

The ‘Partnerships for Action’ conference is an essential event for tourism businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve and navigate the industry’s changing landscape. Registration for the conference is now open, and SATSA members can take advantage of special discounted rates. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with industry leaders and learn from the best in the business. Register today and join us for two action-packed days of collaboration, innovation and growth.

For more information about the SATSA 2023 ‘Partnerships for Action’ Conference, please visit www.satsa.com.