Key objectives are to grow tourism’s contribution to the economy by 1,5% annually, create a thriving tourism sector, and make the South African brand a global player in portfolio markets.

Speakers at the SAACI 2012 congress agreed that the public and private sector needed to work together if the goal of growing the business events industry was to be achieved.

South Africa’s business events industry has been asked to commit to signing the business events ‘Win as One’ pledge and become part of Team South Africa.

The inaugural Travel & Tourism Business Exchange Southern Africa (formerly the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Conference Southern Africa), will take place from 2 - 4 September 2012 in Johannesburg.

One of the aims of Tsogo Sun’s SunCares initiative is to be a catalyst for change to make a real difference in the lives of South Africa’s poorer communities.

South African Airways has announced a number of additional flights on its Mumbai and Nairobi routes and has also upped capacity on its popular summer holiday routes.

SA Express airline has just been awarded air traffic rights to launch scheduled services between Durban and Harare.

The recently released TBCSA FNB Tourism Business Index showed difficult trading conditions for tourism businesses in the 2nd quarter of 2012, but an improved outlook in the next quarter.

Johannesburg’s reputation as a premier destination for international conferences and exhibitions receives a major boost next year, when the city hosts 3 global summits.