The Middle East and Africa region will witness the largest show in the amusement industry – DEAL 2020, to provide an effective platform for the stakeholders within the African entertainment and amusement sector. Over 300 plus exhibitors will be present at the 26th edition of the DEAL 2020 Show (Dubai Entertainment and Leisure), from across 35 plus countries. Global industry exhibition, DEAL will be held between 23rd and 25th March 2020, and will showcarse a wide spectrum of VR concepts that is specifically catering to the African markets.  DEAL 2020 will host 300 plus exhibitors from across the globe. There are several global and regional brands at the show that includes – Amusement Services International, Warehouse of Games, Al Hokair, Semnox, Intercard, Zamperla, Embed, Sacoa, ICE, UDC, Polin Waterparks, ProSlide, Whitewater, HPS Play, SBF-VISA, Guzzi Eugenio, IE Park, I-TPS, Mammamia Rides and QubicaAMF Worldwide among several others.  Furthermore, the African trade visitors can also meet close 50 plus new exhibitors. “Apart from the other country pavilions, this year DEAL will host companies under the ‘Korea Pavilion’ for the very first time. Korea Creative Content Authority (KOCCA), a government agency which promotes the Korean content industry will be instrumental in bringing some of the best Korean FEC and entertainment companies. Trade visitors from Africa can expect a plethora of creative VR concepts from the Korean brands at its country pavilion during the DEAL 2020 show,” stated Sharif Rahman, CEO of International Expo Consults (IEC), organisers of DEAL 2020. Africa will witness the launch of new retail entertainment hubs and malls in the next couple of years where more global brands will find more space and better infrastructure. It adds that the continent is home to 45 million households having what it terms as ‘discretionary income’. With the new malls attracting brands that were only known through cable television, Forbes Magazine says the African market can no longer be viewed as a secondary one. DEAL 2020 is the region’s most important meeting point since its inception for manufacturers, suppliers, buyers, entrepreneurs, businessmen, technologists, and professionals in the leisure, FEC and amusement industries.  Apart from the VR gaming concepts there is a massive representation from other sectors such as arcade, redemption, card machines, rides, water fountains, soft toys, coin machines, gifts, souvenirs, bowling, character costumes, theming services, interactive sports, revenue management systems,  inflatables, laser tag, photobooth, snow park, water park, trains, vending machines, trampolines among other entertainment concepts. Africa’s VR (virtual reality) gaming space is taking shape with several malls in the country looking to house the best in the VR gaming industry. The VR concept is increasing the business value of the malls with the help of this new disruptive technology. Virtual reality gaming refers to applications where a person can experience being in a three-dimensional (3-D) environment and interact with it during a game. Virtual reality (VR) environments help the user in experiencing the game as reality. “So, as an African entertainment industry stakeholder, trade visitors can attend dedicated conferences to gain knowledge and industry’s wealth of experience and get a hands-on technology experience at its innovative best. They can implement the same back in the country post networking with industry leaders, and also develop a profitable business relationship at the same time,” added Rahman. Middle East and North Africa Leisure & Attractions Council (MENALAC), a non-profit Trade Council representing the leisure and attractions will be addressing the industry’s growth parameters, as it will be hosting a power-packed conference that will feature experts from the industry. These industry experts will share their best practices from across the globe with the trade visitors from Africa. “DEAL has been steadily gaining popularity on all fronts as the African amusement sector stands to benefit immensely from this show. The future looks promising for the African amusement sector which has reported a steady growth on the revenue forefront. Africa has been growing in terms of tourism and infrastructure. We have full faith that we are going in the right path and are confident that the amusement industry in Africa will yield 100 percent results. We are quite pleased to see new faces from Africa at DEAL each year and are sure that they will get to meet new contacts to expand their business even this year,” said Rahman. African millennials are changing their consumer spending patterns, from markets to malls, where they can eat, socialize and get entertained at Family Entertainment Centers (FEC)s apart from shopping. Also there have been key amusement parks in Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia and South Africa which have enticed people around the African region.

BolognaFiere Cosmoprof SpA, organizer of Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, has officially announced that the 2020 edition will be postponed to 11 till 15 June 2020. "The latest news concerning Novel Corona Virus in Italy have forced us to review our positions” - says Gianpiero Calzolari, President of BolognaFiere. – “In agreement with the Regional Government of Emilia Romagna and with the Municipality of Bologna, we have assessed the situation, and postponing the event is currently the most correct solution, to support Italian institutions engaged today in protecting our health". Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2020 edition has been postponed to 11 till 15 June 2020 "The decision to postpone the event from 11 to 15 June is a further evidence of our commitment to support the development of the cosmetic industry worldwide” - says Enrico Zannini, General Manager of BolognaFiere Cosmoprof SpA. – “In this way we can offer to the over 3,000 exhibitors of this edition and to the 265,000 operators attending our exhibition every year a high-quality business event, as in the tradition of Cosmoprof. I would like to thank our exhibitors and our partners for their understanding in the latest weeks, due to the complicated scenario in which we are involved. Thanks to the collaboration of the entire industry, our event in June will be a key moment for our sector". "Cosmetica Italia is working together with its historic partner, BolognaFiere Cosmoprof, sharing the decision to postpone the fair to ensure maximum health and safety conditions for operators and visitors to the event” – says Renato Ancorotti, President of Cosmetica Italia - Italian association of cosmetic companies. – “Our goal is to be side by side on the occasion of the new appointment, to reconfirm the excellence of the Italian cosmetic industry, recognized all over the world and reacting positively even in contexts of uncertainty." The 2020 program and special initiatives will not undergo substantial changes. In particular, the activities outlined in recent months are guaranteed to optimize the business opportunities of the operators attending the event in Bologna.

Ethiopian Airlines scooped the top prize at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo being held at in Bulawayo after being named Best Airline Stand ahead of Air Tanzania, second runner up and Air Zimbabwe, first runner up. Bulawayo, the host city for Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo also scored a double including overall award at a glittering awards ceremony.  Earlier in the year, Ethiopian Airlines had also won the ‘African Champion of the Year’ Award at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali which was being attended by more than 1,800 delegates. Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline has emerged as one of the leading airlines connecting Africa to the world. In recent years, Ethiopian Airlines has emerged as the fastest growing airline in Africa. In its 70+ years of operations, Ethiopian has become one of Africa’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the Pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 119 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. "We are proud to receive this award and consider this accolade as a reward for our services in promoting Zimbabwe's booming tourism industry," said Wogayehu Terefe, country manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Zimbabwe after receiving the award at a glittering ceremony held on the sidelines of the Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Tourism Expo held in Bulawayo that was organised by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.  

Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is an annual tourism trade fair organized by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. It showcases the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products and attracts international visitors and media from across the world. The expo, held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo between 12 - 14 September 2019, has become a permanent feature on Zimbabwe’s tourism calendar. In its 13th year, the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo 2019 drew exhibitors from all across the tourism and hospitality industry. The expo also registered an increase in the number of hosted buyers and international media persons that flew in specially for the expo from different parts of the world. Over the years, Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo has become a premier tourism expo held in Zimbabwe each year and has attracted exhibitors, buyers, investors and media persons from the local, regional and international markets. It has also played an important role in promoting Zimbabwe's tourism industry by showcasing the various tourist attractions and the world-class tourism infrastructure that the country has painstakingly built over the years. Talking to Holiday Guide magazine, Kirsty Coventry, the acting minister of tourism said: "“Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo has been a good platform for us to showcase our country's tourism industry and attract more tourists to Zimbabwe and we hope that this year too, the event is going to make a positive impact on our tourism industry like it always has.”  Growth in Arrivals During a press conference held on the sidelines of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, Givemore Chidzidzi, acting CEO for Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, confirmed the growth in the number of international tourist arrivals to Zimbabwe – recording a total of 2.6 million international tourist arrivals in 2018, up six per cent from the 2.4 million arrivals in 2017. Business and leisure travellers across the world are searching for new meetings and conference options as traditional venues in Europe become more expensive and hard to reach. Against this backdrop, exotic new destinations such as Zimbabwe are gaining increasing popularity due to its modern tourism infrastructure, relatively low costs and ease of travel. As a result, Zimbabwe is becoming a popular destination for the leisure and conference markets in the Southern Africa region and has been able to earn a substantial amount of much needed tourism dollars for its ailing economy. Improved air connectivity as well as targeted marketing campaigns aimed at new and emerging tourist markets like the Middle East and Asia have yielded good results for Zimbabwe's tourism industry.  Airport Upgrade The newly refurbished Victoria Falls Airport has also undergone a total revamp and has emerged as Zimbabwe’s second international airport after Harare. The Victoria Falls Airport was upgraded by China Jiangsu International and has seen a significant increase in its passenger handling capacity which has grown from 500,000 per year to 2 million per year.  Regional Market Tourists from the regional Southern Africa region form a major portion of tourist arrivals in to Zimbabwe – with South African visitors leading the brigade. But it’s not only South Africans who are realising the value of Zimbabwe as an attractive tourist destination in the Southerrn Africa region. Arrivals from Angola and Zambia account for significant portion of incoming tourists into Zimbabwe, whilst visitor figures from Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom have also seen a gradual increase in the last two years. Corporate Travel Recent reports confirm that the incoming flights of RwandAir, Emirates and Ethiopia Airlines have been ferrying visitors to the Zimbabwe from different parts of the world. Givemore Chidzidzi pointed to an upsurge in corporate travel from SADC, but agreed that there is still room for improvement and further growth. “It is important to inform the regional and international consumers of what Zimbabwe has to offer through tourism campaigns and incentives. We have been using various communication tools and media campaigns to highlight Zimbabwe's tourist attractions and the results are now beginning to show –  which are positive signs for Zimbabwe's growing tourism sector.” Zimbabwe aims to increase its incoming tourist arrivals to 5 million by 2020. However, the economic hardships faced by the country has crippled the Tourism ministry to undertake marketing initiatives due to lack of funds. "At Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo we hosted a team of media persons from all across the world in order to spread the word about our country's excellent tourism attractions and world-class tourism infrastructure in a bid to tap into new and emerging markets like the Middle East and Asia," said Godfrey Koti, head of Corporate Affairs at Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. "With air improved connectivity, we are hoping to see a a substantial increase in tourist arrivals from various parts of the world," he said. B2B Networking Special sessions of Speed Networking were conducted during the two-day Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo where buyers and sellers were able to negotiate business face-to-face and form longterm business alliances. "The B2B Speed Networking was specially helpful in establishing direct B2B contacts with industry professionals from the local, regional and international markets," said Mevis Guedes, brand manager for Zimbabwe-based Rainbow Tourism Group. "It helped us reach industry leaders from various parts of the world and form new business alliances," added Mevis. Exhibitors, buyers and media delegates were also treated to a glittering Awards Ceremony held at the Zimbabwe Exhibition Centre. Among those who participated at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo were prominent National Tourism Boards, Embassies, Airlines, Tourism Destinations, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hotels, Car Hire companies, Transport Providers, suppliers of goods and services to the tourism industry, Investors, Government Ministries, Parastatals as well as local and international media persons. Holiday Guide magazine, an affiliate publication of the Africa Business Pages, was part of the international media delegation that attended the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo

The Middle East and Africa’s potential as a major growth market for paper, stationery, and office supplies, is catching the attention of European manufacturers, with top brands preparing to establish a larger presence at the industry’s dedicated regional trade fair in Dubai. Paperworld Middle East has typically proved to be a happy hunting ground for prospective European exhibitors eager to conquer new markets that are otherwise hard to reach. Since its inaugural edition in 2011, the annual three-day event has consistently welcomed a healthy number of manufacturers and suppliers from the Old Continent, with exhibitors hailing from Russia in the East and the UK in the West, to Italy, Germany, and Spain in between. That trend follows on in 2019, and when the 9th edition of Paperworld Middle East opens from 18-20 March at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, more than 50 of the 300-plus exhibitors will come from Europe. Many are regular exhibitors of the dedicated showpiece event, including Portuguese stalwarts such as Navigator Paper, Olmar, Clipoura, and Bi-Silque; Polish companies WZ Eurocopert and 2x3; and Carioca, Morocolor Italia, and Stilolinea from Italy. Others are debut exhibitors ready to connect with distributors, retailers and department stores, schools, and commercial end-users from throughout the Middle East and Africa (MEA), such as Papkaprint from Russia, Spanish brands Factis and Rocada, and Rapesco from the UK. Rapesco, one of Europe’s leading office product manufacturers, distributes its products to more than 100 countries.  Hani Moussalli, International Account Manager at Rapesco Worldwide, said the company’s first-time participation at Paperworld Middle East coincides with its efforts to expand its global presence in fast-growing markets. “The MEA is now of a central focus to Rapesco, and quickly growing, offering enormous potential,” said Moussalli.  “The wide quality Rapesco product range fits perfectly with the demands and expectations of these markets, which are of huge interest and importance to us.” Moussalli said Rapesco aims to expand within the MEA region through sales in both its traditional lines and newer product ranges, adding: “sustainability and environmental issues continue to play a growing part in the consumers purchasing decision and that will reflect in our activity and development in these regions.  “Our participation at Paperworld Middle East will centre on our quality contract office product range, retail products, e-commerce offerings and our environmentally friendly ECO line. Presenting these four product categories enables us to showcase a more diverse and exciting variety.” Moussali’s high expectations for Paperworld Middle East could be based on past experience from more seasoned exhibitors; WZ Eurocopert – one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of sustainable envelopes – has participated at the show for the last six years, and after three years of learning the market, is now reaping the rewards. Wojciech Zukowski, a Member of the Board, and Sales Director at WZ Eurocopert, said the company is still noticing regional business growth, with larger market trust and much better customer relationships: “Our first three years at Paperworld Middle East was important to understand the way Middle East customers operate and now we know exactly what to do,” said Zukowski. “Paperworld Middle East 2018 in particular was really good for us, and we developed and strengthened our business there. We want to continue this which is the main reason for returning to the show in 2019. We love the Middle East market, culture and people, and want to continue to be at least a small part of it.” Zukowski said eco-friendly WZ Eurocopert made two new customers at Paperworld Middle East 2018, with whom the company regularly cooperates with.  Afterwards, they also received more business enquiries from not only the Middle East, but also from Africa. “Our goals for Paperworld Middle East 2019 are not only to develop more business, but also to meet our current customers,” he added.  “As always, we’ll showcase our high-quality premium envelopes with variety of sizes, paper and packaging styles. We’ll also focus on our latest FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified air bubble protection envelopes and big peel’n’seal pockets.” Paperworld Middle East, which has a new ‘More than Paper’ theme for 2019 and beyond, has in recent years stepped up its efforts to offer a more diversified product range, as well as presenting more value-added features to attract a wider regional visitor and trade-buyer base. In 2019, new highlights include the Corporate Gifts Avenue presenting high-end gifts and promotional items, as well as the Mystery Box – a balloon shaping competition. That’s in addition to other popular features such as the Playworld Pavilion for children’s toys and games, Leatherworld for finished leather goods and accessories, and the Green Room for environmentally-friendly stationery and office supplies. This, says Show Director Alexandria Robinson, has attracted the interest of a wider variety of European exhibitors with unique product-offerings: “Cozydots from Poland, for example, is a new exhibitor specialising in tailor-made arrangements of children’s rooms, while Brand Office is a leading Romanian promotional gift and office supplies company providing hundreds of innovative products and solutions,” said Robinson. “Paperworld Middle East has always enjoyed a robust European presence keen to tap into the fast-evolving MEA market, and the upcoming edition will continue to see a strong push from continental exhibitors.  Apart from a dedicated German Pavilion, Paperworld Middle East 2019 will see representation from Austria, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the UK.” Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Paperworld Middle East 2019 returns with other popular features including Wrap Star – the UAE’s only gift wrapping competition; and a three-day seminar programme.  The 8th edition attracted 7,179 trade visitors from 90 countries, sourcing the latest stationery, office supplies, paper and school articles, toys, games, arts and craft supplies, and much more. Get your free Visitor Pass > Click to Register * Africa Business Pages is the Official Media Partner for Paperworld Middle East and promotes the event in the African markets.

Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, the leading B2B exhibition in the world for the beauty industry, announces a new look for the 2020 edition. Over 250,000 professionals from all corners of the globe come to Bologna to discover cutting-edge technologies, innovative products, and eco-friendly proposals of the future. To facilitate their visit, business opportunities, and networking with over 2,800 exhibitors, Cosmoprof 2020 confirms the targeted opening dates and reinforces the distinction of each area according to product sectors, with a new and more functional layout of the halls. From 11 to 15 June 2020, Cosmopack and Cosmo | Perfumery & Cosmetics will open its doors for producers and specialists of the supply chain, finished product companies, and buyers/retailers, with the latter focusing on the Perfumery and Cosmetics sector, Green & Organic Beauty, and Cosmoprime, the area dedicated to high-end cosmetics. From Friday 12 to Monday 15 June, the show opens for the professional distribution channels of Cosmo | Hair & Nail & Beauty Salon, with the participation of salon owners and beauty centers, hair stylists, hairdressers, nail technicians, and distributors specialized in these segments. The international Country Halls, featuring small and medium-sized beauty companies from all over the world, will also follow a division by sector to increase networking opportunities of attendees. The focus of the 2020 edition will be on sustainability and the circular economy; the cosmetics industry is called upon to find new production solutions to reduce the environmental impact of production processes using renewable energy sources. COSMOPACK This exhibition, dedicated to contract manufacturing and private label, machinery, primary and secondary packaging, applicators, ingredients, and raw materials, displays continual growth. Automation and technology will be the key words for the 2020 edition, with “smart” solutions presented by companies representing both the excellence of “Made in Italy” and international. With the main concern for Cosmopack 2020 being the circular economy: The Factory project will explore the most eco-friendly industrial solutions, showing the entire circularity of plastic recovery. The reproduction of the supply chain set up in hall 19 will lead to the creation of a “scalp oil”: a 100% “no compromise” product, with a formula completely free of micro-plastics and a bottle with regenerated polymers, obtained with an innovative technology and “Carbon footprint” certificates. The Cosmopack Factory explores the future of sustainability in the cosmetics industry: a future that is already present, because thanks to the research and investments of the companies at Cosmopack, it is now possible to produce beauty products that respect the environment and are in with accordance to the principles of circular economy. The last edition of Cosmopack saw the participation of over 450 exhibiting companies and over 23,000 professionals, most of whom came from abroad. Management of cosmetic brands, purchasing managers, R & D, and retailers interested in collections and technologies proposed as a preview in Bologna by the leading international suppliers. The Cosmopack format is currently replicated in Hong Kong with Cosmopack Asia, with an entire exhibition center dedicated to companies of the supply chain, and in 2020, the second edition of Cosmopack North America will be inaugurated. COSMO | PERFUMERY & COSMETICS From 11 to 15 June 2020, the exhibition will open its doors for hall 14 for Cosmoprime, hall 21 dedicated to the green universe, and halls 16, 22, 26, and 19 for Perfumery and Cosmetics companies. Cosmoprime, dedicated to high-end cosmetics with a selective distribution, specifically in luxury concept stores, collects the latest trends in the sector in a new hall, Hall 14. The area will offer Italian and international retailers a preview of the perfumery of the future: emerging brands, suggestions from around the world, trends, and innovations that will shape the concept of retail for tomorrow. Cosmoprime is a must-see as it features macro-trends of the beauty universe. Among the trends for 2020 is the concept of “holistic beauty”, which links the effectiveness of a product to the wellbeing experience that the use of the product itself can give to the customer. The increasingly extreme customization of the new collections, not only for the fragrance and skin care sectors but also for the make-up segment; specific proposals follow the peculiarities of the client, with ad hoc ingredients and formulations. The most innovative devices are also on display, with the latest technologies developed by international researchers. Companies specialized in products derived from cannabis are growing in response to a growing interest in the positive effects of this ingredient. The men’s world plays a key role at Cosmoprime; in the luxury concept store of the future, not only will skincare proposals made specifically for men increase, but make-up collections geared toward a male audience take centre stage, as a consequence of a greater attention to aesthetics which is characterizing men all over the world. Sustainability and green beauty are the common themes for many of the companies exhibiting. The Green Prime area features exhibitors containing products with a low environmental impact specific to retail, with ingredients of natural origin. A new area, Zoom On Emerging Prime, will be dedicated to young companies that are first-time exhibitors at Cosmoprof and are looking to meet buyers, distributors, and retailers of the most important cosmetics companies in the world. These emerging companies bring innovative retail proposals to the market. Selected companies in the Extraordinary Gallery, an area dedicated to prestige perfumery and cosmetics, will have an opportunity to participate in B2B meetings with highly qualified buyers. Within the area will be a showcase of companies dedicated to the green & organic beauty called the Extraordinary Green Gallery. From Thursday 12 to 15 June, there will be space for companies, buyers, and distributors for mass market perfumery and cosmetics. Hall 21 hosts exhibitors with green proposals, while in halls 22 and 26, international perfumery companies will showcase. Hall 26 presents new emerging brands from all over the world, thus renewing the brand list available to distributors, wholesalers, and sales agents specialised in mass market. Thanks to the research and the investments imposed by market developments, the quality standard of mass-market product continues to grow, maintaining a functional quality-price ratio. A significant role is played by small and medium-sized international companies, which thanks to the activities of the local industry associations, can network with buyers from all over the world. Most of the new proposals come from the Asian continent, with an increase in companies representing Japan and specific areas dedicated to exhibitors from China and Korea. Significant interest in exhibiting at Cosmoprof has been shown by companies in Northern Europe and Scandinavia, ready to evaluate the opportunity at the event to present their beauty products outside their national borders. COSMO|HAIR & NAIL & BEAUTY SALON The Beauty Salon and Spa sector is recording an important growth, with the exhibition area growing by 20%. The three halls dedicated to the sector, which are the result of an impressive restructuring, will host ad hoc projects, in collaboration with leading companies in the sector. Thanks to promotional activities in international markets, requests for participation from companies from Eastern Europe and the Balkans, in particular from Russia, Latvia, and Lithuania are growing. This means that the brand awareness of Cosmoprof is increasing in the world and the event is recognized as a reference point for professionals working in the beauty salon distribution channel to experience a preview of the latest trends. In Halls 28, 29, and 30, professionals and distributors will find the most technological machinery; among the most influential trends for the market is permanent make-up, one of the most requested services in professional beauty centers. A special area inside hall 28 will be dedicated to international companies approaching the world of Italian beauticians and distributors. The Hair sector has registered a significant growth of Italian companies, reflecting an important revival of the domestic market. Companies with a green approach to the world of hair care are increasing as well, as those focusing on semi-permanent color. Among the events for the sector, the United Barber Show, in collaboration with Sen Martin. The Nail world will serve as the focal point of hall 36, the historical location of the sector. As a consequence of a strong interest of the market for the vegan universe, companies are specializing in vegan lacquers and lines based on vegetable ingredients. BolognaFiere Group has brought the Cosmoprof platform all over the world. In addition to Cosmoprof events in Bologna, Las Vegas, Mumbai, Bangkok and Hong Kong (with Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, Cosmoprof North America, Cosmoprof India, and Cosmoprof Asia), the group acts as an international sales agent in organizing events dedicated to the beauty world in strategic markets for the growth of the sector: Belleza y Salud in Bogotá, Colombia and in 2019, in Southeast Asia with BeautyExpo (Malaysia), Asian beauty (Thailand), Phil Beatty (Philippines), and VietBeauty (Vietnam). Africa Business Pages is the Official Media Partner for Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna and promotes the event amongst African countries.

African Tourism Boards to participate in OTC Arabia to be held in Dubai Tourism Boards of several African countries are expected to participate in the forthcoming OTC Arabia conference-cum-exhibition to be held in Dubai between 13 – 14 February, 2019. "Many tourism boards from Africa have expressed their eagerness to participate at OTC Arabia in bid to attract more tourists from the Middle East markets," said N. Hasan, the Show Director, OTC. "The changing trends in the outbound tourists markets of Europe and America has forced many African countries to attract tourists from new and emerging markets like the Middle East. Increased air connectivity between Africa and the Middle East markets like the UAE provided by leading airlines like Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia flydubai and Gulf Air has seen an increasing number of travellers from the Middle East visiting African countries for leisure," he said. OTC Arabia will put the spotlight on destinations from across the world wanting to promote their tourism industry in the Middle east markets. OTC ARABIA offers a worldwide and unique forum for attendees from the tourism industry, media, academia, and the public sector to actively exchange, share, and promote tourism and investment opportunities while discussing key issues facing the global travel and tourism industry. The Middle East is emerging as one of the largest travel source market. With traditional tourist markets like United States and Europe experiencing a slump, the Middle East is billed as the next big source for high spending tourists. With the theme ’Destinations | Investments | Opportunities ’ OTC Arabia will focus on exploring popular tourism destinations for outbound travellers from the Middle East as well as emerging and new trends in the global tourism industry specially from a Middle East perspective. The conference-cum-exhibition brings together around representatives from different countries from the tourism industry and govrnement bodies. Complementary to the main conference streams (industry, destinations, and investments) there will be a special session on Medical Tourism, organised by the host Naved Hasan. The conference also features 6-8 world class keynote speakers. The sessions are designed to enable maximum interaction for attendees to exchange ideas, present the latest developments and business initiatives, as well as best practices, case studies and advanced scientific research. Luxury Travel Nature Tourism Medical Tourism Tourist Attractions Destination Weddings Adventure Travel Investment Opportunities GCC outbound travellers are expected to spend a mammoth US$ 94 billion by 2020, up from the US$ 64 billion spent in 2015. Come be a part of the Leading Travel Trade Conference in the Middle East— and ignite your business potential. OTC Arabia is held at Sheraton Creek Hotel & Towers in Dubai. The modern and fully equipped premises provide perfect conditions for delegates and exhibitors which is proved by the successful arrangement of a great variety of meetings and events every year. OTC Arabia is held at Sheraton Creek Hotel & Towers in Dubai. The modern and fully equipped premises provide perfect conditions for delegates and exhibitors which is proved by the successful arrangement of a great variety of meetings and events every year.   Register your interest in OTC Arabia at > http://otcarabia.com  

Senior Government and Business Leaders from Africa and North America will gather in Toronto from the 5th – 8th July 2018 for The Commonwealth Africa Forum Toronto 2018 with the theme: Africa – Open for Business. Past Speakers at  CAFI EVENTS have included: HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Former Nigerian Head of State); Rt Hon Baleka Mbete (Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (Former President of Nigeria), H.E John Dramani Mahama (Former President of Ghana), Amina J Mohammed (UN Deputy Secretary General) represented by H.E Bience Gawanas (UN Under Secretary for Africa), H.E Mrs Toyin Saraki (Wife of the Senate President of Nigeria), Dr. Hassan Ahmed Hilal (Minister of Environment Sudan), Chief Mrs Folorunso Alakija (Vice Chair – Famfa Oil and Richest Black Woman), and more. The Commonwealth Africa Forum is a premier event for those curious and excited about Africa. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the challenges and opportunities on the continent. The Canadian edition of The Africa Forum is conceived as a high level thematic business-related event with the vision that Canada and Africa must move beyond donor/recipient relationship towards long-term cooperation based on principles of ownership, partnership and solidarity. “Africa is a continent of paradox. It has buckets of possibility and investment opportunity, and it is well on the path to achieving that full potential however if still faces a multitude of challenges”, says Adonis Abboud, Member of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Africa Initiative.   Convening over 250 delegates and a number of high profile speakers, the Canada Forum will offer unrivalled insight into business on the continent from the boldest innovators and decision makers in Africa. A gala dinner will close the Forum which will focus on Doing Business in Africa, with the theme: Africa, Open for Business. Three of the five fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa. Africa has 300+ tech hubs in 93 cities across 42 countries. Increased internet penetration, mass urbanization and growth in smartphone adoption, combined with rapid population growth, and has made Africa extremely attractive to investors. Africa is the continent of the future Africa is home to the world's youngest population. In 20 years, the number of sub-Saharan Africans reaching working age (15-64) will exceed that of the rest of the world combined. By 2040, less than 25 years from now, half of the world’s youth will be African or of African descent. “It is in light of this that the Forum will feature a High Level Youth Dialogue with participation from Young leaders from across Africa and North America. Conversations at the Youth Forum will consider how Diaspora and African Youths can collaborate to help Africa fulfil the aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063 and the SDGs” says Napoleon Jay, Co-Chair of the Local Organising Committee. The Forum will bring together African and North American business leaders representing multi-nationals, large corporations, small and medium-scale enterprises and confederations, civil society representatives and multilateral and regional institutions to discuss how to improve the business and investment climate between Africa, Canada and North America at large. TAF Canada will also be an opportunity to showcase that Canada is also open for business and investment and the forum will showcase Canadian opportunities to African investors. In the words of Prime Minister Trudeau at the World Economic Forum “We have a diverse and creative population, outstanding education and health care systems, and advanced infrastructure, we have social stability, financial stability and a government willing to invest in the future”. Come listen to distinguished speakers who are helping to shape the future and trajectory of the abundant continent called AFRICA. The event is organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative (CAFI) in association with Common Cause Africa Canada, YTI Canada, APO Group, Piety Inc, Pan African Diplomacy Center and other organisations.

In order to boost its tourism income, Uganda is making efforts to promote its tourism industry internationally. As part of this plan, the country hosted a special stand at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai to showcase its tourism products in the Middle East markets. “Arabian Travel Market is an important event for us and helps us reach new markets in the Middle east region,” said Edwin Muzahura, Marketing Manager of Uganda Tourism Board. “We are hoping that travellers from the Middle East will travel to Uganda in increasing numbers to take advantage of the excellent tourism infrastructure that Uganda has developed over the years – including some world-class hotels and resorts. Excellent air connectivity between the GCC countries and Uganda also augurs well for increased bi-lateral tourism and travel ties between Uganda and the Middle East,” he said. ATM is the leading global event for the Middle East inbound and outbound travel industry and has played an important role in promoting new destinations amongst the high-spending tourists from the Middle East. Following the success of the 2016 exhibition, where more than 40,000 industry professionals, including 30,000 trade visitors, agreed deals worth USD 2.5 billion, it is expected ATM 2017 will welcome over 2,600 confirmed exhibitors – with 100 exhibiting for the first time – across 65 national pavilions. The show will also extend across an additional hall, in order to meet growing demand. “The United Arab Emirates presents Uganda with huge opportunity to tap tourist arrivals by virtue of its geographical proximity and excellent air connections”, said Irene Florence Persis Wekiya, Ambassador of Uganda to the United Arab Emirates. “Uganda is less than five hours flight time from Dubai to Entebbe. There are as many as nine airlines that provide easy connectivity and frequency to Entebbe from UAE, including flydubai, Emirates Airlines (from Dubai), Air Arabia (from Sharjah), and Etihad Airways (from Abu Dhabi). Uganda has an Embassy in the UAE in Abu Dhabi making visa processing much more convenient. Most expatriates are able to process their visa on arrival”, said Irene Wekiya. Halal Certified Easy availability of halal food has also attracted Muslim travellers from the Middle East in recent years. The Uganda Halal Bureau has listed nine manufacturers whose products qualify for Halal certification. According to recent studies, by 2020, more than 160 million Muslim tourists are expected to travel globally, spending upward of US$200 million. Uganda is aiming to garner of sizeable share of this market by setting standards for hotels and other touristic facilities to be certified as ‘Halal and Muslim’ friendly destinations. Uganda-Dubai Travel Ties “We must allow these factors to play into our advantage and attract more tourists from Dubai to Uganda,” said Irene Florence Persis Wekiya. “Uganda’s participation at the Arabian Travel Market also aims at increasing business-to-business contacts among travel professionals as well as exchange ideas and share best practice with travel trade,” she said. UAE is one of the the principal market for Uganda in the greater GCC market that consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Commenting at the launch of the Entebbe route in 2014, flydubai CCO Hamad Obaidalla had said: “We are delighted to be flying to Entebbe, one of Africa’s leading commercial centres. With daily flights offering the choice of Economy and Business Class, we will facilitate the flow of tourism and business between Uganda and the UAE.” Last year Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (Dubai Tourism) organised the first-ever East Africa road show that also went to Kampala to promote bi-lateral travel and tourism ties between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates. In 2016, the UAE was the fifth largest source market for Uganda globally. The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is the official Government destination market organisation with the responsibility to promote and market Uganda as the preferred tourism destination in Africa. In this UTB works with other government agencies and the private business operators in the tourism sector. UTB does not run private tours, but represents the tourism industry players and promotes all for the public benefit.

Dubai, UAE – The inaugural “Africa Live” event saw a strong turnout as it was held on the sidelines of the Dubai Chamber’s Global Business Forum on Africa 2017 on November 1 at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah. The live entertainment event offered attendees a host of artistic and cultural activities highlighting the strong relations and cultural similarities between the UAE and Africa. During the event, a special ceremony was held to honour Kuwaiti national Ali Al Zaidi, the winner of the “Next Generation Photography” contest. “Africa Live provided a broad platform for us to look into human and cultural exchange between the UAE and Africa,” said Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.   “It was an opportunity for us to look more closely at the many similarities our two regions share when it comes to lifestyle, society and art. These cultural traits are hallmarks of each region’s identity and heritage, and by familiarising ourselves with them, we are truly paving the way for solid, long-term ties with Africa – both cultural and economic,” he said. By hosting the unique event, he explained that Dubai Chamber aimed to look beyond the traditional communication channels, and tap into a more human rapport and strengthen cultural relations between the UAE and Africa. Commenting on the Next Generation Photography Award,  Buamim said the contest was a joint effort with the esteemed Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, which drew in more than 900 submissions from around the world. “The award established an interactive platform to build bridges of dialogue between different cultures and civilisations, while it also promoted creativity and fine arts. The contest succeeded in supporting the Forum’s mission to promote economic and investment ties between the UAE, Africa and the rest of the world,” Buamim concluded. A corner of the Africa Live exhibition was reserved for authentic handicrafts made by creative young innovators, such as Affiong Williams, Founder of Reel Fruits, from Nigeria and kathy Johnston, COO of Mirzam Chocolates, from the UAE. The event featured traditional handicrafts that boast old-timey charm with a modern touch, created by Emirati designer Khalid Shafar, along with Burkina Faso’s Hamed Outtara. In addition, Africa Live featured clothing designs that highlighted the visible impact of using locally sourced material and traditional techniques to create modern fashion with youthful ideas. Tamashee Co-Founders Mohammed Kazim and Muneera Al Tamimi from the UAE took part, along with Rwandan designer Matthew Rugamba, Chief Designer at House of Tayo. The two-hour event included musical performances entitled “The Language of Music”, which fused music with folklore. A number of talented musicians took part, including Hamdan Al-Abri (UAE), Victor Sitali (Zambia) and Kakembo Shariff (Rwanda).The programme included live food stations serving up traditional Emirati dishes prepared by the highly creative chef Faisal Naser (UAE). Meanwhile, Nigerian chef Gbubemi Fregene revealed the secrets of African folk cuisine. The Global Business Forum on Africa has become a reliable platform for exploring the continent’s economic outlook – both current and future – as evidenced by the high-profile attendees that have participated in the event since its inception.