There was an unmistakable mood of enthusiasm and optimism in the auditorium on Saturday, September 13, as a group of Southern African Tourism Ministers gathered with South African and European travel and tourism leaders at the international conference, Fostering the position of Africa as a primary tourism destination, hosted by MSC Cruises and The European House Ambrosetti TEHA. TEHA is an Italian consultancy and an international think tank specialising in strategic studies, training and business events.
The conference took place at MSCs Gauteng Woodmead premises.
Several strong themes emerged, among them the need for intra-Africa cooperation for visa-free entry and simple border crossings for tourists the meaningful inclusion of communities the need to increase foreign investment and public-private partnerships increased infrastructure development better air connectivity sustainability, and the need to seize the golden opportunity and increase cruise tourism into African countries. There was also a powerful sense that the time had come for Africa to become a central player on the global tourism stage.
