South African Airways (SAA) and event organizer On Show Solutions have finalized dates in 2012 for their popular Southern Africa Showcase.

  The information trade showcase will be held in six major U.S. cities from September 5-13, 2012, including four new cities.  Plans are in place to host travel agents and tour operators specializing in Africa for one-one-one presentations with world-class exhibitors representing luxury hotels, safari game lodges, destinations tourism organizations and other travel services from throughout Southern Africa.

Travel professionals who attend will learn the latest updates about the region, ensuring they receive the competitive edge that will power their ability to sell travel to this lucrative and specialized market segment. The dates and cities for 2012 are:   September 5 – Los Angeles / Orange County September 6 – Denver September 10 – Atlanta September 11 – Boston September 12 – Stamford / Greenwich, CT September 13 – New York City / Long Island, NY.

“The 2011 Showcase was a success, thanks to a stellar line-up of exhibitors, and the truly capable planning and leadership of On Show Solutions,” said Todd Neuman, executive vice president, North America, for South African Airways. “Looking to 2012, we aim to stage an ever more enriching and valuable showcase, building on the fact that it has become a popular event for travel professionals who specialize in selling Southern Africa.

  We will make stops in the traditionally strong markets such as New York and Los Angeles, while also visiting new cities which continue to show a growth in interest for travel to the African continent.

“Now in our fourth year running the Southern Africa Showcase with SAA, it is exciting to see the commitment from the Southern African suppliers,” says Jacqui Reynolds, owner of On Show Solutions. “The Southern African Showcase has become a key event on the tourism calendar with many suppliers using these product seminars as their primary marketing platform for the US market.

”   Additional details and updates about the 2012 Southern Africa Showcase will be issued in the coming months.

South African Airways, 800-722-9675, www.flysaa.com