The 2024 Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa, which took place from June 11-13 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, was a showcase of transformative innovation and action, setting new standards for hospitality throughout the continent. With a rich array of speakers and discussions, the event emphasized the critical roles of sustainability, technology, and local innovation in advancing African hospitality. It confirmed its status as the leading event for fostering growth and excellence in the industry.
“The Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa connected brands and decision-makers, proving once again that it’s so important to create a space where industry leaders can share knowledge and prioritise important topics such as sustainability,” said Margaret Peters, Event Manager at dmg events.
Sustainability took center stage at the event, focusing on its critical role in hospitality and how it shapes decision-making and strategy. Highlighting this theme, a recent piece in the Southern and East African Tourism Update pointed out that ‘consumers are increasingly traveling with mindfulness, consciously making choices throughout their entire travel experience.’
Another focal point of the show was on the power of Small, Medium & Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to drive innovation and propel the hospitality industry forward. Returning for its third year, the Enterprise Development Pavilion, sponsored by the Johannesburg Convention Centre, provided a dedicated space for SMMEs to showcase their cutting-edge products and services. “This platform links emerging businesses, especially black-owned and women-owned enterprises, with key industry buyers, providing valuable exposure and market access. Through this initiative, we empower these businesses to flourish and shape the dynamic future of hospitality,” said Thandubuhle Mgudlwa, Chief Executive Officer, The Johannesburg Tourism Company.
By supporting emerging businesses, particularly those that are black-owned and women-owned, we play an active role in economic development and job creation. This support initiates a positive domino effect, enhancing progress and prosperity across the industry for all participants, including stakeholders, partners, customers, and the wider community.
The 2024 Hotel and Hospitality Expo Africa kicked off with a compelling keynote address titled ‘Exploring the changing landscape of hospitality in Africa’ by Jeff Blackbeard, Director of Sectors and Markets at Moore Global. With Africa poised to become the world’s second-fastest growing travel and tourism region in 2024, Blackbeard explored essential trends, sustainability, and technological advances that are vital for transforming Africa into a leading global destination.
Unpacking some of the core findings from dmg events and Moore Global’s African Hospitality Confidence Index in the presentation, Blackbeard said: “There is confidence in the sector, and as the European market shows confident growth, this will filter into the African market as well. There’s a lot of confidence in the high-end market and there remains significant interest travelling into the Africa region, particularly South Africa.”
Day one also featured a panel discussion titled ‘Unlocking opportunities – City destination marketing in Southern Africa.’ Moderated by Lee-Anne Singer, Marketing and Sales Director at the Singer Group and Chairperson of FEDHASA Cape, the panel included Mike Vroom, COO at Newmark Hotels, Reservations and Lodges; Mark Wernich, Cluster General Manager at Raj Cape Town; Thandubuhle Mgudlwa, CEO at the Johannesburg Tourism Company; Monika Iuel, Chief Tourism Officer at Wesgro; and Bronwen Auret, Chief Quality Assurance Officer and Acting CMO at South African Tourism.
Additionally, the day was enriched by two fireside chats titled ‘Future living – adapting products to anticipate changing guest demand’ and ‘Sustainability – Journey to tomorrow blending purpose and profit.’ The latter, moderated by Brett Hendricks, CEO of Motsamayi Tourism Group, included Gavin Ferreira, Concession General Manager at Kruger Shalati, and Andrea Kleainloog, Partner at Hesse Kleinloog. They discussed the strategic investment in the Kruger Shalati train during the pandemic and the commitment to sustainability that led to its success.
“You must partner with operational sustainability and understand how your ideas are going to play out over the long term. We prioritised sustainability on multiple levels from employment to environmental impact,” said Ferreira. He argued that it was possible to create a more people-centric approach to environmental conservation that has a lasting impact.
On the first day, several panel discussions were held, exploring topics such as the compatibility of sustainability and luxury; how to merge timeless, authentic design with innovation for aesthetic and functional harmony; strategies for pricing and channel management to enhance revenue and maximize occupancy; and an exclusive interview that discussed global thinking with local action, featuring Chris Browne, Owner and Creative Director of Fox Browne Creative.
The second day centered on technology’s pivotal role in reshaping the hospitality sector by reimagining experiences and personalizing guest interactions. The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is set to revolutionize travel experiences both in Africa and globally.
A notable panel titled ‘The digital era – striking the balance between embracing AI and safeguarding guests’ privacy and data’ was led by Khaya Mbanga, Digital Head of Advisory at BDO South Africa. Key insights from this session included balancing technology with a human touch, enhancing business performance through AI, and understanding the essentials of email authentication with platforms like Google and Yahoo.
Additional sessions on the second day included discussions on elevating guest experiences through personalization with a focus on cultural nuances; ‘Procurement 4.0’ aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiency; fostering better synergies between property owners and operators; and a case study on how the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI could revolutionize energy management in the industry.
The day concluded with a compelling keynote by Coo Pillay, Director of F&B at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Wanderers, who provided a blueprint for entering the food and beverage industry with his talk on ‘Launching your culinary voyage.’
“Chefs today aren’t just cooks, we’re businesspeople. We need business acumen and entrepreneurial skills balanced with skills and capability. It is so important for chefs to cultivate a deep passion for your food, your creativity and your culinary excellence,” he said. He went on to unpack some of the key trends to look out for that included plant-based foods, sustainability, and global flavours. “There’s a growing demand for alternative proteins and eco-friendly practices alongside cultural influences for South African cuisine,” he added.
On the third day, the discussions centered on addressing labor shortages and enhancing talent retention, with a focus on bridging the skill gap and engaging Gen Z effectively. The day also delved into themes of healthy eating, the use of locally-sourced ingredients, and experiential dining. Panel discussions included topics like utilizing design thinking in hospitality, fostering an engaged workforce, becoming an exemplary employer to address unemployment, promoting homegrown culinary innovation, and exploring the future of hospitality.
A fireside chat, moderated by Lee-Ann Bac, Director of BDO South Africa, featured insights from Hamza Farooqui, Founder and CEO of Millat Investment; Ram Lokan, Principal at Kasada Capital Management; and JS Anand, Founder and Owner of Leva Hotels, Dubai. The discussion, titled ‘Investment – the African hospitality industry,’ explored the challenges and opportunities in the South African hospitality sector, such as the rising demand for mid-scale hotels and the critical role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. The speakers shared their experiences in expanding hotel operations and emphasized the importance of forging strong relationships with global brands while still prioritizing local innovation.
“There should be a push towards local products, local technology and local human capital,” said Anand. “You can be a leader in your sector if you have quality people and invest in your human capital. The culture of the company starts at the top.”
“With over 3,632 attendees and 85 exhibitors recorded at this year’s event, the Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa will continue to be one of the most important events in the hotel and hospitality sector’s calendar next year, offering delegates an exceptional array of industry-specific experiences,” Peters concluded.