Joburg Tourism is enjoying a fruitful World Travel Market 2012, where the team are updating industry stakeholders on forthcoming signature events in the City of Gold, plus a new seasonal campaign.

Joburg Tourism is exhibiting on the SAT pavilion [Stand 40] and will also be hosting a trade and media briefing at the Excel Centre Tuesday, 6 November.

The team is using this opportunity to showcase Joburg’s impressive green credentials. As indicated in the African Green Cities Index, along with five other cities, Joburg ranks above average overall.  It is particularly strong in energy and CO2, land use, transport, air quality and environmental governance, ranking above average in each category.  The city’s environmental performance is bolstered by having the second highest amount of green space among the 15 Index cities and an extensive bus network, as well as generally robust environmental policies, especially for clean energy and congestion reduction.

Event Greening practices are taken seriously and are widespread among meetings and event industry players in Joburg. While all establishments have greening initiatives in place, the majority are active members of the Heritage certification programme, which provides an environmental rating and assists with implementing systems to improve upon the rating.

Some of the green conference options offered by leading Joburg conferencing and events venues include: 

• Food and Water – use of locally produced food, encouraging the drinking of tap water (rather than bottled water) and providing refillable bottles;
• Energy efficiency (including the utilisation of green power – solar energy
• Public Transport / Walk ability / Bicycles - to reduce emissions;
• Waste management and recycling and
• Tree planting and greening to offset carbon emissions.

SUNNY SUMMER CAMPAIGN

Where Summer Never Sets is the tagline of the summer campaign to be launched at WTM, referring to Joburg’s glorious weather, it’s irresistible vibrancy and the brilliant array of sights, sounds, activities and attractions on offer to residents and visitors – whether visiting for business or leisure.

“While there is plenty to look forward to across a spectrum of music, fashion, culture and sports this summer, the highlight of the 2012/3 summer season will undoubtedly be Joburg’s role as host city of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Orange AFCON 2013 (Africa Cup of Nations) football spectacular, taking place from 19 January to 10 February 2013,” says Phelisa Mangcu (Acting CEO, Joburg Tourism).

“We’re thrilled that Joburg has a significant role in this tournament and look forward to showcasing our City as the continent’s most happening lifestyle destination to visiting soccer supporters and enthusiasts.”

Once again Joburg’s post-holiday summer season gets off to an exciting start with the annual Joburg Open golf tournament (10 – 13 January), part of the South African Sunshine Tour and, a popular January fixture on the sporting calendar for the past six years, serving as a reminder of the City’s appeal as a premier golfing destination.  Lush golf courses, dazzling weather and fantastic golfing facilities - 36 of the country’s top 100 golf courses are located in and around Joburg - means that operators are increasingly including Joburg as part of golfing, touring and safari itineraries.  JTC supports initiatives like Joburg Gems to market a combination of golfing, accommodation, touring and sightseeing in our city.  Add to this some time out at some of the City’s flagship spas – and you have the recipe for a perfect urban escape!

For shoppers, there are the end of season Summer sales to look forward to, while the second year of the Jozi Film Festival, as well as Meetings Africa - the country’s annual premier business tourism lekgotla - take place at the end of February.

“Signature events and leisure activities aside, tourism development continues unabated in diverse geographical nodes in Joburg,” says Mangcu.  “From Midrand to SOJO and Soweto, there is plenty on offer for a variety of tastes and special interest groups.  The revitalization of the inner City is a great talking point at the moment and generating an enormous amount of interest from visitors keen for an urban tourism experience in the heart of Joburg’s “downtown” area, where Joburg sprang to life as a dusty mining camp in 1886.  In addition to all the recent strides made with public transport in the City – including the Gautrain and Rea Vaya BRT - we’re also looking forward to the launch of Joburg’s first Hop On Hop Off Bus, scheduled for early 2013, with an itinerary which showcases the inner City and surrounds.”

JOBURG’S GDS 2040

“In terms of Johannesburg’s Growth and Development Strategy [GDS] – the Joburg 2040 [www.joburg.org.za/gds2040] - tourism remains an economic growth imperative on the city’s agenda. It is an important catalyst to encourage the development of the SMME sector in order to stimulate the growth and development of a vibrant second economy.  It is Johannesburg Tourism’s strategy mission to attract visitors to Joburg, encourage them to stay longer, spend more, improve seasonality patterns and the spread of visitors across the city.” 

In line with these developments and as part of the institutional review process to effect closer alignment with City goals, this year Joburg Tourism Company is being incorporated into the City’s Communication & Tourism Group. The GDS is coupled to the city’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and both are aligned with the National Planning Commission’s New Growth Path. 

“Our ongoing local and international promotional campaigns include exhibiting at business and leisure trade exhibitions where Joburg Tourism shares its plans to maintain, defend and grow its market share,” says Mangcu.  “As the City of Johannesburg’s destination marketing organisation, Joburg Tourism remains focused on positioning the not only as the continent’s leading business hub, but also as an exciting, vibrant year-round destination for signature events, lifestyle, the arts, culture, fashion, sports – and of course, mega-events.”