Ken Daniels
25 May 2007
The 60th World Association of Newspapers (WAN) Congress, taking place in Cape Town from 3 to 6 June, will attract over 1 500 industry representatives from some 90 countries, providing an excellent opportunity for showcasing "Brand South Africa".
Yvonne Johnston, chief executive of the International Marketing Council of South Africa (IMC), believes the congress offeres the perfect opportunity to expose senior executives from the international newspaper industry to SA's achievements.
"WAN provides an unmatched opportunity for us to get our message across to 1 500 top editors from around the world," Johnston said. "The eyes of the world are on us, not just because of the 2010 World Cup. We have to make use of the opportunity WAN provides. There is widespread interest in our progress."
Conference delegates will be taken on pre- and post-conference tours to enable them to explore the country's diverse locations and cultures.
"The purpose of the IMC is to stimulate interest in the country, to attract trade, investment and tourism and to highlight some of South Africa's important achievements," Johnston explained.
According figures released by Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad in Parliament recently, Brand South Africa's weight in the global marketplace is today valued at over R500-billion.
Johnston is also excited by recently released figures which show that tourism in South Africa grew by 15% last year, representing three times the global average. "Tourism to South Africa is a hot issue, and interest will continue to grow," Johnston said.
"The WAN conference gives us an opportunity to show editors from around the world, many of whom may be visiting for the first time, what South Africa is really like."
This is the first time that the congress, which will run alongside the 14th World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo 2007, is being hosted in Africa.
Source: BuaNews
