As the country experiences a surge in cluster outbreaks of COVID-19 infections, we caution all our members and industry partners to remain agile and vigilant. At the same time, we welcome the adjusted travel advisory from the USA, as President Cyril Ramaphosa makes his way to the G7 Leadership Summit in the UK. We view these international movements as a sign that life, business, and human contact can never stand still. Except for our electricity supply… which is really hampering economic activity.
The Business Events Industry continues, and we cannot stand still. As the conduit for ensuring that knowledge sharing takes place and making sure people are connecting with each other, we hosted the SAACI Eastern Cape Annual General Meeting this week, where we discussed the needs of our members and the industry in Nelson Mandela Bay.
SAACI welcomes the efforts of the Eastern Cape Committee, members, and stakeholders to coordinate the work in delivering a convention bureau and actively improve the process of bidding for events to take place in the destination.
While there remains steady positive movement in the Business Events Industry around the country, we do raise a major concern with the split role of the Minister of Tourism who has been seconded by the President to look after the Health Ministry (while the Minister of Health is on special leave). SAACI believes that we require the full focus of the Minister. Our industry needs to move, work and meet in a small groups. We need to ensure that meetings take place more frequently and in a safe and responsible manner. Our countries’ recovery for tourism requires a dedicated focus. We hope that this is understood by government.
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