AFRICA - The Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau has been awarded Business Tourism Destination of the Year for Africa at the Business Destinations 2011 Travel Awards by the Business Travel Destination magazine.
 
“The modern delegate is not only seeking an important learning and networking experience, but ideally a unique or particularly overarching meeting experience,” says KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Michael Mabuyakhulu. “We believe that the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal Natal can offer such a distinctive experience.”
 
Durban’s Municipal Mayor, James Nxumalo, added: “It is also important to note that Durban, mainly through its international conference centre ICC Durban, has successfully hosted some of the world’s most significant conferences such as the United Nations Climate Change Congress, COP 17.”
 
The Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau assisted in ensuring that Durban improved its International Congress and Convention Association global city ranking by 50 places to 178 in 2010 and by a further 6 places to 172 in 2011.
 
The awards are now in the fifth year and is distributed to members of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and produced in association with American Express.
 
The makeup of voters for the awards includes the corporate travel managers and MICE managers.
 
Other winners included Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority, Dubai Tourism and Commerce, Brazil Tourism, Vienna Convention Bureau, Berlin Convention Bureau, Melbourne Convention Bureau, Gothenburg Convention Bureau, Amsterdam RAI Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Hilton King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, Hilton Hotels, Wembley Stadium, Mayden, United Airlines, LAN Airlines, Lufthansa, Saudi Airlines, Oman Air, AeroMexico, Sky Airlines, Budget Rent-A-Car, Avis, Hertz, Holiday Autos, Abu Dhabi Airports, South Africa Tourism, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Oman, Zagreb Convention Bureau, Gothenburg Convention Bureau and Dubai Tourism.
 
In related news, South African Airways has announced that passengers travelling from London to Cape Town will fly via the airline’s hub in Johannesburg, OR Tambo International Airport. The route change will commence effective 15 August for flights from Cape Town, with all passengers flying to London via Johannesburg.
 
SAA currently has two daily services between London Heathrow and Johannesburg and will be increasing its capacity on these flights by 13 per cent through use of larger aircraft to accommodate passengers on this route. SAA also offers up to 38 flights daily between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
 
Any conference-related news? Email sarah@mashmedia.net