​Nandipha Zonela, chairperson of the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) board, has concluded leading a delegation to position Johannesburg as a top destination for business tourism at the prestigious 63rd Annual International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress, held from 20-23 October 2024 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, United Arab Emirates.

​
As an affiliated member of ICCA through its business events unit, the Johannesburg Convention Bureau, JTC plays a pivotal role in the global meetings industry. ICCA is a knowledge hub for international association meetings, with over 1,100 members across nearly 100 countries. JTC is one of 200 ICCA-affiliated convention bureaus globally and is part of the ICCA African Chapter, which includes over 40 organisations from 10 countries, covering conference management, venues, hotels, airlines, and conference organisers.

“Participation in the congress is crucial to positioning Johannesburg as a leading business tourism destination. The event offers a platform for Joburg Tourism to gain insights into the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) sector, generate business leads, and foster global partnerships. With Johannesburg Convention Bureau officials attending educational sessions on bidding guidelines, destination marketing, and ICCA data research, JTC aims to enhance its competitive advantage in global business tourism,” says Zonela.

The JTC delegation included CEO Thandubuhle Mgudlwa, CFO Nselelo Nxasana, and Senior Manager for MICE, Rendani Khorommbi. Key outcomes from Joburg’s participation include:

• ​Profiling Johannesburg as a leading destination for business tourism.
• Strengthening partnerships with global industry stakeholders.
• Securing new MICE business leads.
• Gaining insights from educational sessions to enhance destination marketing strategies.
• Attending the ICCA Africa Chapter meeting to bolster regional collaborations.

This participation is expected to increase the number of visitors to Johannesburg from 2 million to 2.2 million, generating an economic impact of R105 million through MICE activities and securing at least three new MICE events for the city. These efforts are also aimed at unlocking further tourism opportunities.

To promote Johannesburg as a business and leisure destination, JTC showcased the city’s diverse offerings to key markets, including Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, and emerging markets like China and Russia. This global outreach supports economic growth by increasing visitor numbers and stimulating the local economy.

23/10/2024

X: @CityofJoburgZA
Facebook: City of Joburg
Instagram: @CityofJoburg
TikTok: @CityofJoburg
LinkedIn: City of Johannesburg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CityOfJoburgZA/videos
Joburg Pulse Radio: https://s3.radio.co/s349cd1429/listen