The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) successfully represented the province at the prestigious 9th annual Meetings Africa, held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 24 to 26 February 2025.
Through the active participation of ECPTA’s Business Events and Leisure Manager, Zukiswa Ntwasa, the agency effectively highlighted the Eastern Cape’s capacity and attractiveness as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE). Meetings Africa, recognized as Africa’s premier business tourism trade show, provided ECPTA with a strategic opportunity to engage directly with influential global and regional travel buyers, corporate planners, and key stakeholders.
Ntwasa emphasised the importance of this international platform for positioning the Eastern Cape as a competitive global MICE destination. “Meetings Africa is a crucial forum for ECPTA to showcase our unique regional tourism offerings, advanced conferencing facilities, and exceptional hospitality standards,” she stated.
She further highlighted that ECPTA’s participation served to underscore the province’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices, aligning closely with global expectations. “Through connecting directly with both local and international buyers, we not only demonstrated the Eastern Cape’s potential to host world-class events but also reinforced our dedication to environmentally and socially responsible tourism,” added Ntwasa.
ECPTA’s proactive engagement at Meetings Africa enabled the agency to clearly communicate the province’s diverse attractions and leisure experiences, from breathtaking coastal landscapes and wildlife safaris to vibrant cultural heritage. By showcasing this rich diversity, ECPTA aims to attract international conferences and corporate events, significantly boosting regional economic growth and tourism-related employment.
Meetings Africa remains the continent’s most influential gathering for the business events industry, fostering high-level networking opportunities. Through participation in this event, ECPTA reinforced the Eastern Cape’s visibility on the global stage, positioning the province as a leading choice for international event planners, thereby accelerating sustainable economic benefits and international recognition for the region.
