Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism was selected to host today’s inaugural meeting of the South African Convention Bureau Council (SACBC) in Port Elizabeth.
The high-powered 14-member council representing convention bureaus around the country arrived in the city this morning for the all-day meeting.
“Obviously we feel proud that NMBT was selected to host the meeting, but more importantly what it means is that Nelson Mandela Bay has been recognised by the SACBC as a worthy convention destination,” said NMBT CEO Mandlakazi Skefile.
NMBT’s hosting of the council meeting is also a result of the good relationship between NMBT and South African Tourism (SAT).
Skefile said promoting NMBT as a business tourism destination is high on NMBT’s agenda and strategy, “especially given the economic growth initiatives in the city like Coega industrial development zone and the new Port of Ngqura”.
“The 101 reasons that we love Nelson Mandela Bay are, after all, not just about leisure tourism. We also have a lot to attract business people and investors,” said Skefile.
The purpose of the newly formed SACBC is to position South Africa as a destination for business events.
“All cities need to play their part so that we win as a country. At the recent South African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) I signed a pledge to support this initiative,” said Skefile.
Local NMBT members who operate in the conference industry will be briefed by the national body tomorrow.
