Page 59 - TKZN Annual Report 2023/2024

Events Hosted in 2023/24
During the year under review, a number of successful events were successfully hosted.
These included the African Union AfCFTA meeting, which brought 800 delegates and an economic boost of R26 million, the World Congress 2024, which saw an influx of 1 800 delegates and an injection of R23 million into the economy, the International Durban Film Mart, responsible for 1 200 delegates and was worth R31 million to the economy, the BIO Africa Convention, with 1 000 delegates that was worth R38 to the economy, and several BRICS meetings, with in excess of 1 000 combined delegates.
In addition, The World Business Angels Investment Forum, brought 500 delegates to Durban and injected R10 million into the economy, whilst the World Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases Congress hosted 1 500 delegates and generated an economic boost of R41 million.
Significantly, these events also gave effect to the creation of hundreds of temporary employment opportunities in such areas as branding, décor, transportation and entertainment.
District Impact
In relation to all secured bids, the Convention Bureau works hard to proactively encourage event organisers to offer delegates both pre- and post-event tours in a concerted effort to further boost and spread the economic benefits that such conferences generate throughout KwaZulu-Natal, well beyond simply the host cities.
Bid Presentations and Inspections
During the period under review, the Convention Bureau was invited to deliver two virtual bid presentations for the IUCN World Leaders Forum 2024 and World Travel Awards 2025 bids.
Additionally, comprehensive site visit inspections were conducted for the benefit of decision makers for upcoming events, such as the Aviation Gender Summit and the My Beauty Expo.
Trade Shows and Industry Events
The Convention Bureau maintains a strong presence at major international travel trade shows and industry events so as to showcase KwaZulu-Natal as an exciting, relevant and top-flight conferencing destination.
During the review period, the Convention Bureau ensured involvement in four such operating platforms, including Meetings Africa 2024 in Johannesburg, the UNWTO General Assembly 2023, in Uzbekistan, the Intra-African Trade Fair 2023, in Egypt and the Africa Focus Roadshows in Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Regrettably, however, two further platforms - IBTM World and ICCA - were omitted from the 2023/24 financial year promotions programme as a consequence of unforeseen challenges.
Driving Transformation
The Convention Bureau is committed to the transformation of the tourism industry as a whole and the events sector in particular.
The Convention Bureau utilised the review period to assist in effectively empowering SMMEs through the provision of tailored training workshops, staged in partnership with IAPCO and PCMA.
Arranged workshops dealt with a myriad of subject matters, including professional conference organisation, bidding, project management and event management.
In addition, the Convention Bureau facilitated a direct mentorship offering to interested SMMEs. A component of this mentorship initiative included enabling small-scale local companies active in the industry to participate in the large Meetings Africa event and assisted them to showcase their offerings.
TOURISM KWAZULU-NATAL ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024 57