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South African Airways (SAA) and South Africa-based event organizer On Show Solutions are putting the finishing touches on their 5th annual Africa Showcase, the premier North American travel show for Africa travel specialists. The newly rebranded Africa Showcase, formerly known as the Southern Africa Showcase, will take place September 16-19, 2013. It will feature a stellar line-up of hotel properties, game lodges, destination service providers, tourist boards and partner airlines at four stops in Boston, Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles – all major markets with a large number of Africa travel specialists who will benefit by learning how to market the region to travelers and increase their sales to this lucrative travel market.

Over its five years, the Africa Showcase has grown from its origins of exhibiting southern African products to adding products from east Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya and the Seychelles.

The dates and venues for the 2013 Africa Showcase are:
Sept. 16: Boston The Taj Boston
Sept. 17: Chicago The Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Sept. 18: Los Angeles The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
Sept. 19: Seattle The Westin Bellevue

“This year, we’re pleased to introduce travel sellers to an array of new exhibitors from throughout the African continent. We’re also welcoming some of our airline partners, including Airlink and JetBlue, each of which recognizes the potential for growing travel to the African continent from North America,” said Stroebel Bekker, vice president of sales for South African Airways in North America. “The rebranding of the show reflects SAA’s expansion into more markets in Africa. We now look forward to presenting travel sellers with this information, as well as new tools and resources with which to grow their businesses in this rewarding travel sector.”

“Our guests are in for a real treat this year,” said Jacqui Reynolds, co-owner of On Show Solutions. “Aside from many new exhibitors, we also have professional performers joining us from an exciting new theatre venue in Cape Town – Richard’s Supper Stage and Bistro – owned by the producer of the internationally-acclaimed African Footprint. Attendees will even have an opportunity to learn how to do the Waka Waka or Pata Pata! The idea is to immerse travel sellers in the different experiences offered, so that they may communicate that diversity to their clients.”

This year’s list of exhibitors includes African Sun Hotels, Airlink, City Lodge, Durban Tourism, JetBlue, Kamili Safaris, Namibia Tourism Board, Newmark Hotels, One&Only Cape Town, Peermont Hotels Casinos and Resorts, Protea Hotels, Rainbow Tourism Group, Rani Resorts, Richard’s Supper Stage & Bistro, SAA Vacations, Seychelles Tourist Office, Shamwari Group, South African Airways, South African Tourism, Sun International, Taj Cape Town, Three Cities, Tourism KZN, Vineyard Hotel & Spa, Virgin Limited Group (Ulusaba & Mahali Mzuri) and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.

South African Airways, www.flysaa.com