JOHANNESBURG - The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the South African government will hold the world’s first international tourism, sport and mega-events summit in Sandton, South Africa from February 24 – 26 next year.

South Africa’s Department of Tourism and Department of Sport will be working with the UNWTO to provide a forum for active discussion and direction around the leverage of mega-events as a vital force for sector growth and advancement in national development strategies.

A number of major global events will be held in 2010, including the FIFA World Cup in South Africa; the Commonwealth Games in India; the World Exhibition in Shanghai and the Winter Games in Canada.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South African minister of tourism said, “We know that as a developing country we cannot afford to have under-utilised infrastructure after the World Cup, and we understand that we must plan ahead to make sure our infrastructure and skills investments do not go to waste.”

Dr Taleb Rifai, secretary general of UNWTO, said, “This important meeting reflects the increasing economic and social impacts of sport, mega-events and tourism.

“It will establish new lines of thinking on operations, economics and sustainability.”

The summit will be held alongside the annual Meetings Africa business tourism exhibition hosted annually by South African Tourism.

Valere Tjolle