WHILE the tourism industry has been among the most hard-hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, a free online conference will help local tourism projects receive much-needed funding and support by matching them with potential investors and supportive stakeholders.
The TIA360 eThekwini Tourism Investment Symposium, which takes place online on Thursday, August 5, aims to boost KwaZulu Natal’s tourism industry.
Commenting on the symposium, eThekwini Mayor, Cllr Mxolisi Kaunda said: “Despite the recent unrest and destruction in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, it is now more important than ever to push ahead with this, to ensure tourism projects receive vital funding and support from supportive stakeholders and potential investors.”
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Richard Perez, founding director of the Hasso Plattner D-School at the UCT Business School, will kick off the conference with the first keynote address ‘Re-imagining Tourism Through Human-Centred Design – Passion for Africa’. Other notable guests include Chris Flynn, who is currently president and CEO of the World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage Australia as well as Ged Brown, founder and CEO of Low Season Traveller and Dr Thabo Lehlokoe, co-founder and chairman of Seemahale Investment Corporation. Also joining the lineup is Kenyan Judy Kepher who, in 2018, was recognised by Women Academics in Tourism (WAIT) as among the Top 50 Awesome Scholars in Tourism and Natalia Bayona, leader of the Innovation at the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
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Closing keynote speakers will be Google South Africa’s head of retail, tech, travel and gaming Linah Maigurira and Russell Curtis, head of Invest Durban, and Durban Chamber Board member.
The virtual conference will be held in partnership with eThekwini Municipality’s Invest Durban unit, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as investment industry leaders.
The symposium takes place on Zoom.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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