The Premier of Mpumalanga, NJ Mahlangu, officially launched the provincial economic forum on Friday 22nd August 2003 at the Mpumalanga Parks Board.

The premier said that he is truly delighted to physically bear witness to the laying of the last brick in the house that has been under construction for some time and that the opportunity has finally presented itself that he can announce this historic event. It was about four years ago when the idea of interacting with the private sector and communities via the economic forum structure was first conceived.

It was one of the objectives, economic growth and investment that lead to job creation, that became the foundation for the Economic Forum concept. It is believed that via the economic forum route, local economic development was just as is the case with the directive of national department of provincial and local government, going to be the best pursued when localized within municipality boundaries. The premise of this approach was the recognition that the responsibility of development does not rest with government but it rest with the residents of the localities in which the development took place. Government is only a facilitator.

The Economic Forum approach, therefore is rooted on the belief that the most effective form of development is engaging the people who are themselves the best at knowing how to get out of poverty because they know the best what poverty is, and they are the most committed to get out of poverty. It is for this reason that it is important to include the people that we are trying to assist in the whole question of community-based development. The success rest on two pillars, one is a climate that facilitates investment and growth and the other one is the empowerment of poor people so that they are able to participate in that growth.

It is the premise if the Economic Forum structure, starting at the local municipality level, rising to the district municipality level and culminating at provincial level. Economic forum structures have been launched in every one of the municipalities of the province both at local and district levels. And now the provincial level.

Communities must organize themselves into Forum structures so that communication channels between them and government could be improved.

For Government and its parastatals, on the other hand, the Forum Framework makes it easier, faster and cheaper to deliver high quality service to municipal resident when they are organized into some structure. In short the essence of the Economic Forum programme is to build and strengthen partnerships among government, private sector, labour and civil society.

Communities are the most effective vehicle for bringing about the transformation of society. Participation at community level allows the choice to reflect the needs and preferences within the community. Equally important local participation engenders commitment, which is necessary for project sustainability over the long run and that way, participation in the project itself becomes part of the transformation process. It is further argued that people and communities progress successfully and sustainably when they themselves are involved at every step in the process of choosing and implementing a path out of poverty. That is called ownership that means getting involved. It further means taking responsibility for your own future and for that of your community, it means taking the initiative and the responsibility of the economic future of our province starting at your community.

“We, as a government, will continue to pledge our commitment to join forces wit you, the private sector, to strive to reach the common goal of economic advancement and poverty eradication. We as government will rely on your recommendations as you influence economic policy formulation and direction in the province. While I shall exercise political oversight over the Economical Forum, I have made it quite clear that my government and I will keep our distance. We want the forum to composed by and run by private sector and civil society. Any involvement by government officials will be on a ex-officio basis, mainly giving you all that administrative support that you will need to do your work properly.” The premier said.

An historic meeting of organised business took place at Kloppenheim north of Machadodorp on Wednesday the 6th of August 2003. Representatives of the Afrikaanse Handels Instituut in Mpumalanga, Mpumalanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the SACOB affiliated provincial chamber, and the provincial committee of NAFCOC met to address the issue of unity amongst organised business at provincial level.

The meeting was described by members as very positive and constructive and unanimous support was given to the formation of an interim steering committee representing the three organisations. This structure will, in the interim, be known as Business Mpumalanga, and aims to provide a platform for organised business in the province to speak with one voice.

The interim steering committee, which is made up of three representatives each of the AHI, MCCI and NAFCOC, has been mandated to deal primarily with the unity process and to draft a clear strategy for unity in organised business in Mpumalanga.

Mr Moses Mabuza, chairperson of the interim committee said, “This is an historic event in the light of the national movement towards the unity process and organised business in Mpumalanga is supports provincial business unity. We are positive that this first step will go a long way to making business unity a reality in our province.”

(Nancy Chimhandamba)

The route road project is currently in its fifth year of implementation, and the tangible benefits are now becoming evident.

The project was initiated at a workshop held in November 1998 where problems associated with the lack of/or poor tourism and general road signage were discussed. A signage interim committee was set up to develop a draft framework which addresses the road signing problems as it relates to individual facilities and also Tourist Routes or areas. De Leuw Cather Consulting Engineers were then appointed by the MTA to assist in finalising the framework through a process of negotiation with the stakeholders and to workshop the technical and road legislation issues on the signing of individual facilities as well as tourist routes and areas.

The Tourism Road Signing Framework is a tool towards the implementation of the growth plans i.e. the establishment of information infrastructure, as part of the integrated information management system. A sophisticated “route road development system” was then developed, which requires the input and participation of a variety of stakeholders such as the LTO’s, RTO’s, local government and various government departments.

It is part of the MTA’s Strategic Marketing Framework. The Tourism Route Road Development concept assumes that tourists travel along routes to reach their destinations. Tourists don’t necessarily take the shortest and quickest route, but rather tend to balance the “effort to get there” with the travelling experience along the route, as travelling is as much part of their experience as being at the destination. Planning a trip necessitates promotional and information material such as road signs, maps, brochures and requires an information office network as additional support in the decision making process. Proper planning and promotion of routes can influence (and change) tourist travel patterns.

The main purpose for the establishment of a formal tourist area is thus a developmental objective in which the promotion of an area, with many individual tourism attractions or services, is strategically and economically more viable and sustainable than the promotion of a single small facility. For the purposes of marketing, information distribution and collective signing, a tourist route/area can therefore be seen as a single major tourist attraction in itself although consisting of many individual services, tourist attractions and other facilities.

The Route roads and signing project can be broken down to achieve the following:

It is strategically and economically more viable and sustainable than the promotion of a single, small facility. To expose the provinces flavour, cultural, natural, ecological, historical or recreational qualities to the tourists, thereby spreading the benefits of tourism. To stimulate local economic development. To coordinate and manage facilities’ standards, promotions and information distribution through a local tourist body. To sign collectively. Branding of the province, regions and the tourism products and services.

The operational working of the system was tested during the implementation of the pilot project, being the Highlands Meander. The completion of the first phase of the Highlands Meander project was launched during October 2001 that entailed an audit of the existing tourism plant and the development of a new route road map book for the region. The final stage of phase one of the project, being the erection of route road signs and the new tourism facility identification signs.

The project has been successfully implemented in the following regions: The Panorama, Cultural Heartland, Lowveld Legogote and Wild Frontier. The launch of The Panorama region took place on 10 October 2001, and they introduced to the public their new map book. The new tourism facility ID road signs were also launched during this occasion. Subsequently, the Cultural Heartland, Lowveld Legogote and Wild Frontier have all hosted a launch of their region and produced map books. The remaining two regions, Grass & Wetlands and Cosmos Country have started their audits and should be launched during 2004.

The Previously Disadvantaged Communities (PDC) Audit is the second phase of the Route Road Audits, and it is being implemented to ensure that all communities are included in the audit and hence the data base which forms the basis for the road signage project. Some of the regions have included the PDC’s in their completed audits, however, to ensure that all areas have been covered, this process will be followed in all seven tourism regions.

Institutional relationships are integral to the success of the project. The Private sector i.e. the LTOs and the RTOs were instrumental to the success of this project. Their role and participation in the audit process, since the inception of the project cannot be emphasized enough. Without their contribution the project would not have taken off the ground and been the success that it is.

The Provincial Tourism Liaison Committee (PTLC) also has an integral role in the route road development project in Mpumalanga. The committee sits once a month to discuss and approve the various tourism road sign applications in the Province, and new developments in information distribution. It is crucial that all Local Municipalities are part of this meeting, as they have jurisdiction over certain areas for the approval and erection of signs. The following role-players are currently part of the forum: NRA, TRAC, Provincial Roads Department, Mbombela Local Municipality, Tourism Directorate, MTA, De Leuw Cather, SATSA, SA Grading Council.

Lisa Dunn the Route roads and information management officer, has managed the project since 2001. Her commitment and excellent management of the projects has led to the successful launch.
We envisage that this project will promote regional development marketing and cooperation in the province.

Dullstroom, South Africa
(Dr. Edda Pohlandt Buttle)

The Mpumalanga Highveld is renowned for its many different species of raptors, as well as being wonderful terrain to practice falconry. With our very cold winters, there are a relatively high number of injured and debilitated raptors (and other wildlife). In Dullstroom, master falconer James Buttle and veterinary surgeon Edda Pohlandt Buttle (Dullstroom Animal Hospital) have formed a new charity organisation called the Predator Trust of South Africa (PTSA).

The aim of the PTSA is to provide a veterinary and rehabilitation service for local wildlife that has been injured. The PTSA has a charity number (020-243-NPO) and the books are open for perusal. Nominated auditors perform a yearly audit.

“Local wildlife” includes all birds of prey, as well as cranes and secretary birds. We see the cats, such as genet, serval, caracal, even leopard, as well as jackal, otters and mongoose(s?). We offer a trapping service and have two size cat traps available. We see a few non-predators such as reedbuck, duiker and steenbok - mainly snaring and road traffic accident victims. By now, our patients come from as far as Nelspruit, Hoedspruit and Volksrus.

We have a complete mobile raptor rescue kit, as well as isofluorane anaesthesia. Recovery takes place in a ‘hot box’ with intensive nutritional aftercare. Orthopaedic patients are jessed and flown at a lure, and then at live prey, to ensure full hunting ability before release.

Raptors that cannot be released go into our breeding project for raptors at our holding facility between Dullstroom and Belfast. James has bred falcons for many years, using natural breeding as well as imprinting and artificial insemination techniques. Mammals are released, working in conjunction with the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Department, or moved on to other wildlife organisations.

If you find an injured animal, please call us immediately. We will guide you through procedures that will maximise the animal’s chances of survival until it can be fully examined and treated by us.
For further information, please visit our web site www.predatortrust.org.za or call us on 082-8516376 or 013-2540434. If you are in Dullstroom, please come visit – our recovering patients are tethered to perches in the garden.


Donations: Predator Trust of South Africa, First National Bank, Dullstroom, Acct No: 62044308676, Branch Code: 270351.

We are also desperate for building materials for more pens! Any wood, doors, weldmesh, fencing, shade cloth would be hugely appreciated. At present we have a black sparrow hawk, a fish eagle, a jackal buzzard, a steppe buzzard, two spotted eagle owls and a wood owl waiting to be moved to our breeding facility on the farm.

(Retha Pretorious)

Is it worth paying any attention to??
Just mention our “cultural and/or architectural heritage”, and you are sure to produce a yawn and a turning of the page!

It was upon reading a book of Hannes Meiring, the well-known architect, about early Johannesburg, that I came to realize how important, fascinating and valuable our architechtural heritage is.

I came to realize that it is, as Hannes puts it so aptly: “a valuable heritage that deserves our attention, affection and proper care. We need to have an awareness of their importance and a need for their preservation.”

These places give us a sense of identity, of belonging – an answer to our question: where did we come from? Even if we have no connection to a certain place, these structures are just so interesting, and must be preserved for their timeless beauty; they speak to our senses!

May this also be true for the people of Dullstroom, who can pride themselves on a very rich collection of structures of historical value. The truth of this will be realized when viewing the Founders House, the Hervormde Church, the Post Office and many more.

We don’t have to go to cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria or Cape Town to find interesting and beautiful old structures – we have them right on our doorstep!

Dullstroom ‘n Ryk Verlede

Dullstroom. Paradys vir die natuurliefhebber, kunsvlieghengelaar en gesinsman. Tuiste van die reenboogforel, die bedreigde blukraan- en lelkraanvoel en etlike skaars veldplante, waaronder die gesogte geel varkoor, Zantedeschia pentlandii. Met ‘n hoogte bo seespieel van 2075m, is die dorp die hoogste in Mpumalanga en spog met die hoogste stasie in die Suidelike halfrond. Dullstroom is ook bekend vir sy pragtige bladwisselende bome wat meer as ‘n eeu gelede deur Nederlandse setlaars hier geplant is.

Die “stroom”van Dullstroom verwys na die nabygelee Krokidilrivier en bes moontlik ook na die talle groot riviere wat in die opvanggebied ontspring. Die dorp se geskiedenis gaan terug na 1883 toe ‘n groep Nederlands, onder leiding van Wolterus Dull, ‘n maatskappy gestig het om bande tussen Nederland en Suid-Afrika te verstewig en Nederlandse koloniste in Transvaal te vestig.

In Mei 1884 vestig JH Janson jnr en ander families soos Ottens en A de Vletter hulle hulle op die plase Groot Suikerboschkop en Elandslaagte, aangekoop van HT Buhrmann teen 5 pond per morg. Later volg TNH Janson, GH Ahlers, Koeleman en Brinkman. Ondanks heelwat ontberinge en met die hulp van die plaaslike boere (Kraaenburg,Maré, O’Grady, Laubscher, Taute en Steenkamp is enkele vane) het die gemeenskap gegroei en is ‘n dorp hier gevestig, soos amptelik in die Staatskoerant in 1893 aangekondig deur president Paul Kruger:

“Zoo is dit, dat ik, STEPHANUS JOHANNES PAULUS KRUGER, Staatspresident der Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, met advies en consent van die uitvoerendenRaad, blijkensart 567zijnernotulen, gedateerd 9 October1893, bijdeze proclameer…dat opeenzeker gedeelte van de plaats Grootsuikerboschkop, gelegen in diewijk Steenkampsberg, district Lijdenburg,…eendorpis gevestigdonder den naamvan Dullstroom…GOD BEHOEDE LAND EN VOLK”.

19 September to 26 October 2003

The Tourism Monitor Project a full time programme, but unfortunately the department of Finance and Tourism have not been able to achieve this for the current financial year. The intention is to continue to seek funding and support for a full time programme in the new financial year according to the director Mr. Calvyn Gilfellan.

“Despite the financial complications, we are compelled to run the Tourism Monitor Project on a part time basis until further notice as we have been granted a budget allocation for the current financial year. We will therefore initiate the Tourism Monitor Project Module 3 on 19 September to 26 October 2003 We have incorporated the following adjustments into the programme: Negotiations are underway to facilitate electronic transfer payments to the Tourism Monitors every two weeks. This will alleviate the burden of payment by the SAPS Station Commissioners to the Tourism Monitors. A “Contract of Employment” addressing relevant labour issues has been drawn and will be signed by each Tourism Monitor. A “Code of Conduct” has also been developed and if there is any deviation from this code, disciplinary action will be taken.” Gilfellan said.

The team consisting of Lindiwe Mthombeni and Judy Langley have initiated meetings with the following Station Commissioners and existing Tourism Monitors for the week ending 12 September 2003 to reorient the Monitors to the improved programme and answer any queries. Sabie 8 monitors, Graskop 14, Dientjie 10, Pilgrim's Rest 10, Malelane 6, Nelspruit 24, Kabokweni 6, Hazyview 6, Waterval Boven 12, Piet Retief 6, Ermelo 4, Dullstroom 4 and Middleburg 10. A total of 120 tourism monitors.

The existing uniforms (jackets and caps) are being revamped to removed the SAPS logo and replace it with the provincial logo The Monitors will also be wearing “tourism t-shirts” whilst on duty. New and superior identification badges have been approved.

Initial discussions show that 74 of the 85 Tourism Monitors from Module 1 (March/April 2003) remain. With the expansion of the programme to 120, it has been calculated that an additional 40 persons must be trained and orientated as Tourism Monitors. The six new Monitors from Waterval Boven have already been trained.

Mr Gilfellan has requested the relevant RTO’s and LTO’s to identify the 40 additional persons for training as Tourism Monitors using the following criteria: Unemployed persons, Local residents, Ages between 20 and 35 years, School leaver with matric certificate or equivalent, Reasonable English conversational, literacy and numeric skills and no criminal record.

Dunkeld Country Estate & Lakenvlei Forest Lodge (Premier MICE Venues)
(Helen Bruwer)

A busload of corporate and independent MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions) planners undertook a site inspection to Lakenvlei Forest Lodge & Dunkeld Country Estate in Dullstroom on Sunday 24th August 2003. Bundu Bytes Transport owned by Mothabeng Conference Centre also a premier MICE Venue, provided the transport and first-class experienced tour guide Calla Niemand. Lakenvlei Forest Lodge took the group on a site inspection through the horse stables, bird hide sanctuary, private braai boma and private observatory. After devouring fresh sandwiches and coffee, the group were hosted on Dunkeld Country Estate's lawn with champagne and a shower of fabulous gifts, fine cuisine and finer array of beverages around a roaring log fire. But the highlight was the MICE group being able to capture the size and extent of Dunkeld Country Estate through a helicopter ride around the total estate and beyond.

This is going to be a hard act to follow for future MICE site inspections but the Club has some great ones up our sleeve before the year is out.

E-mail: miceclub@mweb.co.za Ref : Future cheese Inspects - if you are interested in being included in these exciting cheese inspections.

(Lakenvlei Forest Lodge)

Planet Mars definitely caused for excitement and interest as most of you might know that it was at it’s brightest than it has been the last 59 000 years. Lakenvlei Forest Lodge, situated just off Belfast en route to Dullstroom, has a unique observatory and due to this unique occasion was very popular among our guests.

The 12-inch Meade telescope gave an inspiring close up of Mars, a small bright ball with subtle dark markings and depending on the atmospheric conditions the bright white South Polar Cap could also be observed.

Mars comes up in the east at early dusk and rises high into the west and is immediately seen in the evenings with it’s distinct bright colour. It’s magnitude on the LCD display was – 2.7 and in simple terms very bright.

The brightest yellow areas are deserts covered by fine, windblown dust. The dark markings are terrain displaying more areas of bare rock (much of its ancient lava flows) or darker dust. Mars was nearly this close in 1988 and will make another good pass by Earth in October 2005.

Apart from that there are various media publications including the numerous websites to log on to that will inform more detailed information on Mars and forthcoming observing highlights. www.skytelescope.com and www.saao.co.za

Mars will still be seen for the whole of September. Lakenvlei has luxurious fully equipped self catering log cabins set amidst in a forest estate that offers tranquility and splendid seclusion and adds to the experience when star gazing in the evenings.

The observatory has a 12inch Meade Telescope and is generally open on a Saturday evening and during the week on request. Kindly be advised that no children under 12 are permitted in the Observatory.

(Miguel de Sousa)

IN September, the deluxe Kloppenheim Country Estate near Dullstroom in Mpumalanga, will open its ‘Sanctuary for the Senses’ – The Ginkgo Spa at Kloppenheim.

“The Ginkgo is symbolic for its resilience and adaptability within an ever changing environment and the three ginkgo leaves forming a circle in the logo of the Spa represents the three important areas of balance: mind, body, and spirit,” says Peter Krug (ex-Hydro at Stellenbosch gm) who is the ceo of the Ginkgo health experience in South Africa.
“The Ginkgo Spa at Kloppenheim - with its four treatment rooms and own natural flowing spring - is an intimate Health and Wellness Spa with CIDESCO qualified aestheticians offering holistic treatments based on Ginkgo’s hallmark – traditional hands-on touch therapy. We’ve made sure there’s something for everyone. Guests can select a specific wellness experience or treat themselves to one of our signature Ginkgo Wellness Packages.”

The packages range from the ‘Ginkgo De-stress Express’ rejuvenation treatment to the indulgent ‘Executive Renewal Programme’ specifically designed for the hotel’s corporate, conference and incentive market.

The Ginkgo Spa and Wellness Group is a consulting and management company that specialises in the operation of boutique facilities within the hospitality industry.

Over the years many tours have been designed to fulfill the very short time periods overseas visitors have to explore South Africa. As tour operators and hoteliers we have quickly come to recognize that some elements are always on the visitors “wish list”. The Cape To Kruger essentials have been chosen to give a visitor as much exposure to the diversity and richness of the country as is possible in a ten-night tour. But, The Cape To Kruger sets to differentiate itself in the market place through the power of business to customer, via the Internet.

The concept is initiated by Ignas Oberholzer, Estate Manager of Dunkeld Country Estate, and at all times, the tour is set to provide superb personal attention and support by the three hosting hoteliers, Dunkeld Country Estate, Umhloti Nature Reserve and Zorgvliet Wine Estate. To raise the tour to a superior standard, overnight accommodation has been chosen in a manner that guests sleep nightly in exclusive, private-estate villas and hotels that ensure superb dinner, bed and breakfast experiences.

For the Cape Province section of the tour, clients base themselves from Zorgvliet Wine Estate, Banhoek Valley, Stellenbosch while Dunkeld Country Estate in Dullstroom provides an intermediate Highlands stop-over, and Umhloti Nature Reserve in Nelspruit is the Kruger tip of the tour. Transport between venues is by road and air.

In a traditional manner the tour showcases South Africa’s world famous highlights from Table Mountain in the Cape, to the Big Five in Kruger National Park. Incorporating established elements such as Robben Island, V&A Waterfront, Wine Estate tour and wine tasting, Simonstown Naval Base in the Cape; spotting the Big Five, Extreme 4x4 Driving, white water rafting and a Pilgrim’s Rest Canyon Tour in Nelspruit and ending with highland walks, bush boma breakfast, a cultural tour and horse back riding in Dullstroom. The Cape To Kruger already more than fulfills most travelers’ vision of Africa.

Via Internet, the customer now defines the mildness or wildness of the trip personalizing The Cape To Kruger by adding activities such as: swimming with sharks, abseiling Table Mountain, hot air ballooning, night bush drives, Sudwala caving, tribal dancing, quad bike riding, helicopter trips, clay pigeon shooting, fly-fishing. A visit the web site, www.capetokruger.info, allows the client to swop-in /add–on within in the parameters of the ten nights and their personal finances. Additionally a special leg eleventh night from Nelspruit to Victoria Falls by private charter can be booked. Base Tour price on request.

Tour Enquiries:
Email: info@capetokruger.info
Tel: + 27 (0)13 254 0814
Fax: + 27 (0)13 254 0941

What does MICE mean to start with ?

It has always been difficult to put into neat packets the various different terminologies within the group business industry. A gathering of people could be a seminar, think-tank, conference, meeting, colloquium, congress, brainstorm, and session to name but just a few of the words that fit the description. As a matter of fact – the whole industry is plagued by misinterpretation of definitions.

In order to set a firm base which would explain all business gatherings, the experts took the key gatherings and strung them together that is: Meetings Incentives Conferences & Exhibitions. All four words satisfy the broad market of different types of suppliers be they: venues, organisers, planners, event managers, tour operators, agents (booking/ travel, advertising etc) to name but a few. And hey presto! the word MICE was born.

It can now be confidently stated that the word MICE is the accepted international acronym for the group business market. So no matter what type of gathering is taking place or being planned it can comfortably be a MICE undertaking.
A whole industry of terms now ‘hang their hat’ on the term MICE. There are MICE managers in MICE venues and MICE planners in corporations and associations.

Where It All Began…..

The MICE business goes way back……ever since people started discussing a common problem such as the invention of the wheel, the cavemen were (unbeknown to them at the time ) engaged in a MICE gathering.

But the real development of the MICE industry began in the 1880’s when smoke-stacks replaced hay-stacks in the (now) industrial countries. Vast ballrooms became part of the hospitality scene – with huge chandeliers, ornate wall coverings, extensive dance floors and high majestic ceilings. And as the industrial age grew….these ballrooms were used for discussion meetings on a range of management topics of the time. These ballrooms started proving cumbersome but it was sometime before the need from dancing and prancing to talking and chalking took hold

Between the first and second world wars – these ballrooms were in constant use with returning troops needing the social side of life yearned for while ‘at the front’.

Following the second world war and into the fifties, the world and its populations settled down to new dance crazes and many of the ballrooms were converted into the rave of the times……bingo.

But life after the fifties took on a serious edge. Class distinctions merged, modernisation of equipment from manual to electric were witnessed and required much debate as the era of technology and electronics proved that life as the world had known it – would never be quite the same again.

Enhanced communications was more than just a buzzword…and so evolved the MICE industry. Ballrooms were replaced with convention centres; concentrated business education became training centres or places of learning. Boardrooms were found to be an organisation’s waste and renting one with catering when required was far more cost effective.

What Makes MICE Different from Hospitality ?

The very nature of the way the MICE industry and its various suppliers such as venues have developed in comparison to the general hospitality industry – sets these two vitals aspects poles apart in requirements and indeed the subtle nuances between the accepted and understood hospitality market and a MICE group.

The needs and requirements of a guest, overnighter, holidaymaker and/or tourist cannot be compared to a serious MICE group. One is relaxed and laid-back. The other is in business-mode, which thinks like a group…and not as individuals.

The requirements of a MICE group are therefore exceptionally different and exacting in the booking of MICE venues and services.

The Future of MICE

It is often quoted that technology via the Internet, video conferencing and the like will ultimately replace the MICE gathering, as we know it. Nothing could be further from the truth for one simple reason. All technology is controlled by one form of energy or another…. easily curtailed with the flick of a switch. Nothing can replace the human eyeball-to-eyeball dynamics where the subtleties of the moment with its inherent moods and emotions cannot be replicated by technology.

To quote a major survey undertaken for EIBTM 2003 (European Incentive Business Travel Market) Geneva Switzerland by Rob Davidson Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster who specialises in MICE and business travel. “…In the click-versus-brick’ debate, there is no doubt that with a return to less turbulent times, face-to-face meetings and ‘press the flesh’ corporate events will again prevail………”

So MICE are not going away…more likely it will grow into a significant aspect of the hospitality industry – and will become more specialised than ever in ensuring the needs of this specific type of booking is nurtured and grown.
This series of articles will provide a basis in which a far greater understanding of the MICE industry will be appreciated by all those worthy readers of this enlightened monthly publication.
The MICE Club has compiled this series of articles.

A South African member group consisting of MICE venues, planners and services. The MICE Medallion venue grading system - with and without accommodation – sets hospitality facilities apart by ensuring that their MICE facilities are serious in meeting the needs of the discerning MICE market.

Contact : 011 791 6948 E-mail : miceclub@mweb.co.za for more details.

WORLD Travel Market (WTM) will this year be launching a Youth Pavilion, in association with The British Educational Travel Association (BETA).

More than 20 companies involved with youth and student tourism will be represented at WTM to be held between November 10-13 at ExCeL in London.

“Young people now account for an estimated 17% of all international trips, demonstrating the importance of youth tourism. Students and young people from all kinds of backgrounds and with differing expectations are opting to try out the real world before returning to full-time study or a career,” said Fiona Jeffery, group exhibition director.

“Australia, the United States and South America are among the most popular outbound destinations with British students for gap year travel, while over two million young people a year from overseas visit Britain,” she said.

November 2002 Edition