subject: The Results & Aftermath Of The tough Economy In The Travel, Tourism And Conference Sector (and [print this page] This is a topic well worth discussing while a great number of of us would instead put to bed the on-going negative talk that is even now prevalent, worldwide and even though we should also get out of Ostrich mode and confront the facts that are is it all bad news? I dont think it is we can see light at the end of the tunnel.
The moment it all began, all of a sudden and the nasty words World Recession hit the front pages, I didnt feel that it could have an effect on me or mine or our productivity to some great extent as it has never happened in our business before with any great impact but one morning I woke up and confronted the realisation that all of a sudden the bottom appeared to have dropped out of business within our particular sector that being the Conference Industry as a PCO (Professional Conference Organiser).
First the drawbacks, to get them out of the way
In 2008 we experienced the best year ever before monetarily, with so much going on, resulting in having to employ much more staff to handle the daily volume of enquiries and bookings. It was wonderful and I am certain I talk for a great number of small agencies, in all fields when I say this To adopt half a line from the old Frank Sinatra song In 2008 it was a very good year It was.
I took a trip to the UK for my Christmas holidays because I could afford to and from the moment of my return in January 2009, it was evident that things were not quite right in the conference tourism industry.
In our marketing capacity, we were being told by all and sundry that there just wasnt a budget any longer for advertising and in fact, many corporate companies, and government departments were already retrenching staff and managing their businesses with skeleton staff Worse than this was the realisation on a daily basis that companies and even government departments had been told to cut back on their conference budgets to such a degree that it became extremely difficult to find suitable venues for our clients to match their budgets. Many companies and government departments opted for the use of their own facilities where this was possible and I am sure that I am accurate in suggesting that the 4 and 5 star hotels suffered most in this industry with the enormous drop-off in numbers and bums in beds as a result. It was 3-star or nothing
In many ways this recession was a hidden blessing however before anyone gets angry with me for this suggestion, I say this purely because I have observed and have been involved in how many individuals and companies have found alternative resources its amazing how much talent is available in all of us which we seldom considered or were aware of until we were forced into the situation of having to find other means of making ends meet I have seen degreed women and men turning their hands to wood-work, a previous hobby, to building houses, something they had never even considered was a possibility, to waitering in the evenings for tips to make up the shortfall I take my hat off to all those who have rigorously looked for and found other means the subsidise salaries in their professions to put bread on the table.
However, all this is stale news now for it has been a topic elaborated on over and over again, added to, expounded on and regrettably over-dramatised by the sensation seekers amongst us, resulting in fear, more fear and to many a sense of hopelessness.
And now for the good news
The old clich claims that when the going gets tough the tough get going
World Cup 2010 contributed enormous growth and was a major boost for tourism in South Africa. Stats claim that there was a 15.1% growth in tourist arrivals to the country in 2010 who visited South Africa primarily for the World Cup.
The United Nations' COP 17 Climate Change Conference also contributed much to the economy and also proved what we are capable of.
Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said at the annual congress of the S.A. Association of the Conference Industry last week that South Africa has secured more than 200 international conferences already for the forthcoming five years. He estimated that this will attract approximately 300,000 delegates to the country and an economic boost of more than R1.6 billion for the economy. Thats good news!
In 2011, South Africa received 392,000 business travellers, of which 140,000 were meetings incentive conference and events (MICE) delegates. Van Schalkwyk said his department had set a target of 15 million international arrivals by 2020.
This augurs well, wouldnt you agree?
What we in the South African Conference & Tourism industry must maintain is the exceptionally high standard of service and quality of venues we are renowned for world-wide we cannot afford to drop the ball it is natural to our citizens to offer top class hospitality and standards it is part of who we are - and we have the wherewithal for international-standard training. Let us never become arrogant or de-motivated for the hospitality industry largely contributes to our economy. We have so much to offer . We also have much to gain for the good of all. Lets pull out all the stops and be better than our best we can do it. We have proved this. World Cup Soccer was a fine example of this.
