AFRICA - The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has expanded its global reach to span six continents with the announcement of GBTA Africa.

The launch of GBTA in Africa is supported by the Institute of Travel and Meetings Southern Africa (ITMSA), an affiliate of ITM in the UK, who will power the global association's development across the region.

"With a strong, local, buyer-led partner and Africa predicted to boom in 2020 the creation of GBTA Africa makes sense," says COO and Executive Director of GBTA, Michael W. McCormick.

The GBTA Africa Energy and Resources Travel Symposium will take place in 2013, and McCormick says: "The successful development of our networks and activity into the energy and resources sector in other parts of the world means we are well placed to bring value to travel professionals in the region."

GBTA will also collaborate on a joint conference with ITMSA in September 2012 for the African region, and plans to introduce education and training programmes from GBTA Academy are already underway.

"GBTA can offer African travel professionals a great deal in terms of development and resources. We are delighted to be their key regional partner working to develop the association across the region," says ITMSA's Chairman, Linda Basson.

Under terms of the agreement, all 119 ITMSA members will gain direct membership of GBTA Africa.

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