03-10-2012: Joburg Tourism Participates in Africa's First Tale of Two Cities Showcase in Lagos
From 3 – 6 October 2012, the Joburg Tourism team will be accompanying Executive Mayor, Cllr Parks Tau and other high level city delegates to the inaugural
and collaborative showcase of business, tourism, arts and culture in Lagos, Nigeria.
Entitled “The Tale of Two Cities” this “fusion” event draws on the similarities between Johannesburg and Lagos – their status as a financial and commercial
hubs, destination cities and gateways to opposite parts of the African continent, as well as being vibrant melting pots of arts, culture, fashion, film and
music.
This is an ongoing initiative for an annual event shared by the two cities, with Joburg set to host the bilateral exhibition and conference in 2013. The
comprehensive three day programme for 2012 includes presentations on business, trade and investment opportunities, as well as events dedicated to showcasing
music, arts, culture and fashion.
“Driven by the SA High Commission in Lagos, with buy in from other partners like SA Tourism and SAA, as well private sector stakeholders like the large
hotel groups, the entire focus of the project is to foster bi-lateral relations in trade, investment, tourism – and of course, not forgetting civil
society,” says Phelisa Mangcu, Acting CEO, Johannesburg Tourism Company.
“As one of the strongest African economies, Nigeria is a valuable continental market for Africa in many respects and we are here to represent everything
Joburg has to offer Nigerians from a business, investment, leisure and lifestyle perspective”.
The week’s activities include a fashion show, a food and wine festival, as well as collaborative film industry projects. While celebrated SA designer
“Sista Bucks” will be showing her range, the Soweto String Quartet is scheduled to perform at the highlight of the week – a music concert featuring notable
South African and Nigerian artistes.
The delegation from Johannesburg includes Executive Mayor, Cllr Parks Tau, MMC for Economic Development, Ruby Mathang, as well as the City Manager, Trevor
Fowler. The JTC contingent includes the marketing department who will be operating a Joburg Tourism exhibition, while acting CEO Phelisa Mangcu, will be
addressing one of the business conference sessions on tourism development – driving economic growth through tourism and opportunities in Johannesburg.
JOBURG’S GDS 2040
In terms of the city of Johannesburg’s Growth and Development Strategy 2040 [www.joburg.org.za/gds2040], tourism remains an economic growth imperative on
the city’s agenda. It is an important catalyst to encourage the development of the SMME sector in order to stimulate the growth and development of a vibrant
second economy. It is the Johannesburg Tourism’s strategy to attract increasing visitor numbers Joburg, encourage them to stay longer, spend more, improve
seasonality patterns and the spread of visitors across the city.
In line with these developments and as part of the institutional review process to effect closer alignment with City goals, this year Joburg Tourism Company
is being incorporated into the City’s Communication & Tourism Group. The GDS is coupled to the city’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and both are
aligned with the National Planning Commission’s New Growth Path.
“Our ongoing local and international promotional campaigns include exhibiting at business and leisure trade exhibitions where JTC shares its plans to
maintain, defend and grow its market share,” says Mangcu. “As the City of Johannesburg’s destination marketing organisation, Joburg Tourism remains focused
on positioning the city not only as the continent’s leading business hub, but also as an exciting, vibrant year-round destination for signature events,
lifestyle, the arts, culture, fashion, sports – and of course, mega-events.”
Released by:
Laura Vercueil: PR & Communication Manager
Johannesburg Tourism Company
Tel: +27 11 214 0700
Email: laurav@joburgtourism.com
Info Line: 0860 333 999
