Wesgro

🌍 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 Business events play a key role in driving economic growth and positioning Cape Town and the Western Cape as a global knowledge hub. While the business events landscape continues to evolve, here are 6 key trends identified by Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, powered by Wesgro, that are set to shape the sector in 2025: 1️⃣ Sustainability: Green initiatives, circular economy principles, and the integration of local culture are set to dominate event planning. 2️⃣ Growth Sectors: In 2025, the Convention Bureau will prioritise attracting business events into key sectors, including the Green Economy, Life Sciences & Health, Logistics, Food & Beverages, Manufacturing, and Services. 3️⃣ AI Integration: Generative AI will transform event design and destination marketing with personalised experiences and enhanced efficiency. 4️⃣ Customer Experience: Hyper-personalised, immersive events will thrive in the experience-driven economy. 5️⃣ Local & Immersive Events: Economic and sustainability considerations will shift focus to regional, flexible venues. 6️⃣ Resilience: The industry will prioritise adaptability to navigate global economic and security uncertainties. To find out more, visit: https://lnkd.in/dUw8Fkzi #Wesgro #BusinessEvents #DestinationMarketing #EconomicGrowth Wrenelle Stander Dr Ivan Meyer James Vos Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Monika Iuel Corne Koch Adriaan Fourie Fikiswa Mgolombane Lumkile Tisana Phuthuma Thole City of Cape Town Western Cape Government 📷 : iStock

📢 Attention Cape-based export businesses! Wesgro invites all Cape-based businesses to join our virtual Export Advancement Programme, running from 17 to 26 February 2025. This programme, tailored specifically for businesses in the Western Cape, is designed to boost your global competitiveness in export markets. Offered as a free 5-part series over seven sessions, the programme covers key topics such as export trade fundamentals, financial risk management, and logistics. It’s a valuable opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools you need to navigate international trade with confidence. 🗓️ 17 – 26 February 2025 🕘 Time: 09:00 - 13:00 📍 Virtual, via Zoom For more information, and to secure your spot visit: https://lnkd.in/dyX2bdra before 10 February 2025 as spaces are limited. #Wesgro #Trade #Exports #Investment #WesternCape #MadeInTheCape #CapeConfidence Wrenelle Stander Dr Ivan Meyer Jean Scheltema Krishen George CA (SA) Nadine Smith-Clarke Nomandla Mene Ayathandwa Makana

✈️  𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 Cape Town Air Access, powered by Wesgro, celebrates George Airport's strong performance in December 2024. The airport recorded a remarkable 11% growth and nearly 93,000 two-way passengers that month. Over 817,000 two-way passengers passed through the airport in 2024, reflecting a 3% year-on-year increase compared to 2023. As the business hub and gateway to the Garden Route and Klein Karoo, George Airport plays an important role in connecting visitors and business to the region. #CapeTownAirAccess #CapeConfidence #Wesgro #GeorgeAirport Wrenelle Stander Dr Ivan Meyer David King Paul van den Brink Melissa Yacoob (née Tarr) Sibusiso Maneli Ntombikayise Tima Airports Company South Africa Western Cape Government 📷: George Tourism

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 Wesgro welcomes the recent announcement of the Department of Home Affairs' Trusted Tour Operator (TTO) Scheme. Sixty-five TTOs have been selected to streamline visa application processes for group travellers from India and China. This marks a crucial first step in facilitating exponential growth from these two key source markets for our destination. Before the pandemic (2019), South Africa welcomed 93,370 Chinese tourists, with 55,816 visiting the Western Cape. In the same year, India accounted for 95,621 arrivals nationally and 50,157 in the Western Cape. Streamlined visa processing and expanded air connectivity with high-growth markets like China and India are pivotal steps in unlocking the region's tourism potential. #Wesgro #G4J #Tourism Wrenelle Stander Monika Iuel Dr Ivan Meyer James Vos Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Monika Iuel Julia Louw

Countdown to #MadeInTheCape 2025! Wesgro is thrilled to kick off the countdown to the highly anticipated #MadeInTheCape B2B programme, taking place this March. This flagship event offers exporters the opportunity to showcase their exceptional products to 40 international buyers. Since its inception in 2023, the programme has resulted in 13 export declarations, 505 trade leads and has facilitated R48.7million in export value. Here’s a looks at our buyers and exporters across various industries who took part in #MadeInTheCape 2024 had to say about last year’s programme. #CapeConfidence #MadeInTheCape Wrenelle Stander Jean Scheltema Krishen George CA (SA) Adrienne Golden

🗞️ Op-Ed by Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander | Tapping into private sector power to build a world-class, accessible education system   ‘‘South Africa's economic future largely depends on developing a well-educated, skilled, and adaptable talent pool, which calls for comprehensive support for the education sector,’’ says Stander.   ‘‘By investing in education now, the private sector will be contributing significantly to the country's long-term stability and progress,’’ she adds. Read the full piece on our website ➡️: https://t.ly/S04gr #CapeConfidence Western Cape Government Wrenelle Stander Bekezela Phakathi Wendy Viljoen

🌍✈️ 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 According to Airports Company South Africa’s statistics, Cape Town International Airport has set a new record by welcoming nearly 3.1 million two-way international passengers in 2024, surpassing the 3 million mark for the first time. This achievement reflects a 10% increase compared to 2023 and marks 24 consecutive months of growth in international passenger numbers since January 2023. About 10.4 million two-way passengers passed through the airport’s terminals in 2024, marking a significant 7% increase compared to 2023, with the number of domestic two-way passengers increasing by 6%. This achievement is testament to the strength of our partnership with ACSA, South African Tourism, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism, as well as private sector partners, V&A Waterfront, Investec and DHL. It also demonstrates the attractiveness of the Western Cape as a global destination for both business and leisure travel. We are committed to expanding connectivity to our destination further – helping bring the world to Cape Town and the Western Cape. Click here to read more: https://t.ly/AvX6L #CapeTownAirAccess #CapeConfidence #Wesgro Wrenelle Stander Dr Ivan Meyer James Vos Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth David King Paul van den Brink Melissa Yacoob (née Tarr) Sibusiso Maneli Ntombikayise Tima David Snaddon Airports Company South Africa South African Tourism DHL V&A Waterfront Investec Cape Town Tourism City of Cape Town Western Cape Government

Wesgro congratulates Darryl Erasmus on his appointment as the new Chief Operations Officer South African Tourism. We have no doubt that his wealth of experience within the tourism sector and commitment to driving excellence will advance South Africa's position as a leading global tourism destination. We wish you every success in your new role, Darryl! Wrenelle Stander Monika Iuel Darryl Erasmus South African Tourism

ICYMI | Cape Town has been named the Best City in the World for 2025! 🏆 Wesgro celebrates the recent announcement by Time Out, recognising Cape Town as the world’s top city for 2025. This prestigious accolade reflects Cape Town's exceptional beauty, vibrant culture, and outstanding hospitality, all of which have been key drivers of our thriving tourism sector. We invite travellers from around the globe to discover Cape Town and the Western Cape by visiting: https://t.ly/qkfKN. #DiscoverCTWC #CapeConfidence #BestCity2025 #Tourism Wrenelle Stander Dr Ivan Meyer Monika Iuel Julia Louw Lana Carls Zintle Mtsi Lizel Trimm zizipho kiva Marshia Meniers Western Cape Government 📸: South African Tourism

As the new school year begins, Edu Invest, powered by Wesgro, extends a warm welcome to all learners. We also congratulate the matric class of 2024 on their impressive results. Looking ahead to 2025, Edu Invest will be focused on attracting private sector investment into education, especially new school builds. Through strengthening partnerships, and by embracing innovation, this catalytic project aims to enhance access to quality education for learners in the province. We wish all the learners the best of luck as they start the academic year! #Edulnvest #QualityEducation #BackToSchool Wrenelle Stander Wendy Viljoen Western Cape Government