South African Tourism (SAT), Sports and Recreation SA and Thebe Exhibitions & Project Group (TEPG) have announced that Durban has been awarded the hosting of the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) in 2012.
“The city of Durban will be an excellent host for the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange. Durban recently hosted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session and in 2010 it was a host city during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It is strengthening its position as a world class sporting destination with the capability and capacity to bid for mega events in the future,” says Sugen Pillay, global manager: events at SAT.
In 2011, the inaugural SETE exceeded all expectations says SAT. The number of total exhibitors was 88, total number of visitors 1 462, number of conference speakers was 32, the conference was attended by 191 delegates and 25 international hosted buyers. The international hosted buyers represented the following countries; Australia, Canada, China, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Russia, Switzerland, UK and USA. Outside of the international hosted buyers and speakers there was country participation from Botswana, DRC, Germany, Namibia, Netherlands and Zimbabwe.
“After a successful inaugural event held in Cape Town in July this year, we look forward to growing the event together with the city of Durban and the province of KwaZulu-Natal over the next three years. We believe that by awarding a three-year contract to the new host city of Durban, this will add an element of continuity to the event, establishing it as a ‘must attend’ confex on the annual global sports and events calendar,” says Carol Weaving, MD of TEPG.
“The city of Durban and the province of KwaZulu-Natal are delighted to host the likes of the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange as this not only provides the opportunity to showcase what Durban and KwaZulu-Natal has to offer as a sporting destination but to prove that Durban certainly has the potential to host mega-events such as the Olympics” says James Seymour, CEO Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau.
SETE in 2012 will take place from 12-14 September 2012.
www.hotelandrestaurant.co.za