13 March, 2014

MEET THE EDITORS, THE GUIDES AND THOSE DEFINING AFRICAN LUXURY TRAVEL TODAY AT ILTM AFRICA 2014



@ILTM_events

Two live debates led by some of Africa’s leading industry figures and the world’s foremost editors of luxury travel media will set the scene for International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Africa (www.iltm.com/africa) at the CTICC in Cape Town from 28 – 30 April.

The ILTM Africa Opening Forum will take place from 09.00 on Monday 28 April, addressing the rise of the continent’s luxury travel industry and the opportunities that this has brought to the region as well as the controversial issues surrounding the continent’s key conservation debates. The Opening Forum is the chance to meet the other attendees, learn from some of the world’s most sought after luxury travel editors and witness a series of inspirational presentations from iconic African guides, African luxury tourism strategists, political thinkers and those on the very human side of African luxury travel today.

Moderated by international Global Business Speaker and CEO of Granger Media Group, the first session opens with Anita Mendiratta, an independent International Strategist and Advisor on Tourism and Economic Development. With considerable experience as a strategic partner with both the government and private sectors, as well as international organisations including the United Nations, Anita will share her key insights into Tourism Development in Africa and address what is ‘luxury’ in the context of African travel.

A dedicated ‘Meet the Editors’ panel session follows, including Maria Shollenbarger, editor-at-large, Condé Nast Traveler US and Travel Editor of the UK’s FT How to Spend it and Divia Thani, Editor of Condé Nast Traveller India.


Both exhibitors and Hosted Buyers attending ILTM Africa will gain a unique insight into how such influential publications decide on their luxury travel features including advice on what prompts them to visit a property, set up a photo-shoot or decide who features within their annual hot lists?  These two Editors join a list of 14 renown editors from 7 countries – the only luxury travel event in Africa they have chosen to attend this year.

Leading the Way’ will focus the debate on conservation. Bringing together two of the continent’s renown guides including Botswana’s Map Ives of Wilderness Safaris - an expert and professional guide in the area for the last 20 years who will share his passion and knowledge alongside South Africa’s Juan Pinto, Director and Head Ranger at Royal Malewane Lodge. Pinto is a multilingual, highly qualified head ranger to the ‘stars’ and has been active in fighting the current rhino horn scourge. In addition to highlighting their own experiences, the session will focus on one of the key issues facing African luxury travel today: the importance of preserving the continent’s indigenous nature, including the big 5, ecosystems, flora and fauna.

Justice Malala, one of South Africa's most well-known political analysts and talk show hosts will close the ILTM Africa Opening Forum, drawing upon some of the issues raised and reflecting on the impact of Africa’s burgeoning luxury travel industry.

ILTM’s Senior Exhibition Director, Alison Gilmore commented:
The quality of the speakers at the Opening Forum and the wealth of experience and knowledge they bring will truly set the scene for ILTM Africa 2014. The key event will offer all participants – exhibitors from across the continent, hosted international buyers and our unique list of global luxury travel editors - an important perspective into Africa’s luxury travel industry. We are delighted to welcome such influential speakers for what is sure to be enlightening, controversial and educational.”

ILTM Africa is a specialist invitation-only event, where luxury travel agents and advisors from across the world meet Africa’s most spectacular luxury travel experiences. Now in its second year, ILTM Africa is set to introduce an unrivalled community of dedicated Africa buyers and suppliers in over 57 mutually-matched, one-to-one appointments, across three days.

ILTM Africa is one of three co-located travel industry events that form Africa Travel Week 2014 (www.africatravelweek.com: 28 April – 3 May) in Cape Town. The other events are IBTM Africa (Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings) 28 - 30 April, and WTM Africa (World Travel Market), which will take place from 2 – 3 May.

For further information regarding ILTM Africa, please see www.iltm.com/africa or contact david.paterson@reedexpo.co.uk



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