Travel technology assumes an even more prominent role at WTM Africa 2019 with a dedicated one-day event – the Travel Forward conference in partnership with e-Tourism Africa Summit (eTAS) on Friday 12 April, from 09:30 in the Inspire Theatre.

With the Travel Tech Show having grown over the last three years on the back of the rise of tech in all aspects of travel – from booking to interaction and experiences to integration – the need to give digital advances greater airtime at #WTMA19 has become ever-more apparent. 

The Travel Forward conference in partnership with eTAS will be hosted by Digital Marketing Expert & Technopreneur, Mavin Waganda, who will facilitate panel discussions, showcase the latest in global travel tech and help visitors navigate the digital travel world. eTAS aims to educate continental industry stakeholders about the pivotal – and even somewhat unexpected – role that digital elements can play in driving business and improving experiences. 

The inaugural Travel Forward event at WTM London 2018 drew 7 000 visitors and hosted 135 exhibitors, with Event Manager Richard Gayle saying that the level of interest demonstrated that industry stakeholders still want to learn more about the role technology can play in their businesses. “Despite being a much-fancied global destination, Africa is primed to take advantage of the digital revolution in travel, thanks to high levels of mobile connectivity and an incredibly tech-savvy market,” he says.

Megan Oberholzer, Travel Tourism & Sports Portfolio General Manager at Reed Exhibitions says that there’s no reason that Travel Forward can’t grow to similar levels at WTM Africa. “The desire to embrace technology in travel is there for all to see, based on the levels of interest in our Travel Tech show each year,” she says. “With major digital role players like Travelport, Sabre and Amadeus well-represented in the African industry – and players like Airbnb, Booking.com and Uber already a part of everyday tourism consumer life – we’re confident that this is going to be one of the highlights of #WTMA19”.

Register now to catch up on the latest digital developments in the continental – and global – travel space at #WTM19 .

For more information or any media related questions relating to WTM Africa, please contact RedLip PR:

Robyn McEwan                               Casey van Niekerk
robyn@redlip.co.za                         casey@redlip.co.za
+27 (0) 83 460 5751                        +27 (0) 82 214 7582