Following the almost total absence of in-person industry shows, exhibitions and events for close on two years due to COVID-19, with many of the big annual events cancelled or moved to the virtual space, there are finally signs of normality in 2022.

Yet there is uncertainty over whether this means that the expo industry is making a comeback in South Africa. Some industry insiders have misgivings about whether the industry can survive on the maximum capacity numbers that have been imposed.

South African Tourism has confirmed that Meetings Africa and Indaba will return this year, with both shows planned to be physical events, with some virtual sections.

WTM Africa will also return with a hybrid format, with the physical event happening April 11-13 and the virtual event April 4-5.

SA Events Council (SAEC) spokesperson, Projeni Pather, told Tourism Update that the organisation was entering 2022 with a lot of optimism. “Larger exhibitions and events have been returning internationally over the past year without incident. In South Africa, the increase in indoor capacity to 1 000 pax ensures the resurgence of exhibitions in 2022. Several significant exhibitions are either confirmed or in the planning stages. Full story