ENTER23 teams is getting ready to welcome the participants in person!

IFITT is delighted that ENTER e-Tourism conference will celebrate the return to a face-to-face format after 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will invite the eTourism community from 18 to 20 January 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa *. And it feels great to bring ENTER conference back to the African continent after 18 years gap!

COVID-19 pandemic has proven that face-to-face communication remains vital. Information and Communication Technologies have enabled all of us to meet online. However, it became clear that the current capabilities of ICTs cannot support an escape from everyday routine. Moreover, many of us value an opportunity to experience a new destination and, of course, to meet people for discussion and simply fun.

The ENTER23 team is very excited about the key arrangements to get everything ready for the event. Thanks to the ENTER23 host Seeza Network, and its sponsors South African National Convention Bureau (SANCB), Gauteng Tourism Authority,  the IFITT vice-president Dr. Kasha Minor and IFITT Director for Chapter Ms Patience Tropo spent 3 exciting days in Johannesburg. The main purpose was to evaluate the possible venues for the conference. So far, there are three options, and hard but interesting decisions to make. However, the lovely ENTER23 hosts are making everything possible for the ENTER23 participants to feel at home.

We are especially delighted to receive great interest and support from the local stakeholders. The ENTER23 team had a chance to engage with the representatives of the Tourism Business Council of South AfricaSouth African Department of Tourism, BDO South AfricaGauteng Tourism Authority and School of Tourism and Hospitality, and the University of Johannesburg to dive into the insights of the eTourism landscape of South Africa and brainstorm the conference co-working, social and travel programme. Details are coming soon and we are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration!

We hope to see you in January! You can find out more about the conference here.

Special thank you to Mr. Tshepo Matlou of Jurni, Mr. Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa of Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Ms Aneme Malan the Deputy Director-General of the South African Department of Tourism, Ms Lee-Anne Bac of BDO South Africa, Ms Sthembiso Dlamini of Gauteng Tourism Authority and Prof Tembi Tichaawa of School of Tourism and Hospitality, the University of Johannesburg for wonderful and stimulating conversations! We are most grateful to the South African National Convention Bureau, Gauteng Tourism Authority and Johannesburg Tourism for making our trip possible.

*In case international travel is heavily restricted, the conference can be switched to hybrid or fully online mode.