The eighth annual Wine Tourism Conference, scheduled for May 30, will spotlight strategies for enhancing profitability in wine tourism. Esteemed speakers, both local and international, will delve into “The Business Case for Wine Tourism,” the central theme of this year’s event, hosted at Lanzerac in Stellenbosch.
Organised by tourism and hospitality specialist Margi Biggs, the conference aims to capitalise on the burgeoning growth of South African wine tourism, reflecting global trends. Biggs highlights Statistics South Africa’s data showing a 52% increase in international tourist arrivals from January to November 2023, while Cape Town Airport’s domestic arrivals surged by 20% in December compared to 2022 figures, signaling a strong recovery post-Covid.
Rico Basson, CEO of South Africa Wine, notes the remarkable expansion of wine tourism despite industry challenges, emphasizing its role in revenue generation and enhancing the country’s allure as a tourist destination. With Cape Town ranking second in Time Out’s ’50 Best Cities for 2024′ list and the anticipated launch of the Winelands airport in 2027, Biggs anticipates further growth opportunities, urging stakeholders to prepare for the upswing.
Headlining the conference is Paul Wagner, a renowned figure in US wine tourism and marketing, alongside Australian expert Peter McAtamney, who specializes in wine market research and business strategies. Industry leaders such as Mike Ratcliffe from the Stellenbosch Wine Route and Francois Rautenbach, formerly of Singita, will share insights on boosting profitability and forging partnerships within the tourism and wine sectors.
Workshops following the presentations will provide attendees with practical strategies, concluding with an informal wine tasting session by Stellenbosch Wine Route. Early bird registration costs R3,450 per person until April 30, escalating to R4,450 thereafter.
Interested participants can reserve their seats online here.
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