The fifth edition of the Corporate Think Tank 2025 kicked off in Hyderabad, led by Deepika Nair, Acting Trade Manager, South African Tourism, uniting India’s top corporate travel leaders with South African Tourism to drive MICE growth, partnerships, and future-ready business travel strategies
The vibrant city of Hyderabad played host to the kick-off of the fifth edition of Corporate Think Tank 2025, a marquee initiative by South African Tourism under its Corporate MICE Programme. The closed-door gathering at ITC Kohenur brought together some of India’s most influential corporate travel leaders for a high-level exchange on MICE opportunities, destination insights, and collaborative solutions that are shaping the future of business travel.
A Platform for Meaningful Engagement
Corporate Think Tank is a trusted forum that facilitates candid dialogue between tourism leaders and the corporate community. Each edition serves as a barometer for shifting market trends, capturing real-time feedback and converting it into actionable strategies. By curating a small yet powerful group of decision-makers, the initiative ensures discussions go beyond the theoretical and lead to tangible outcomes that directly benefit participating companies and the destination itself.
This year’s edition reaffirmed South African Tourism’s position as one of the most proactive national tourism boards in India. The programme has become a cornerstone of its engagement calendar, consistently strengthening brand recall, increasing intent to travel, and deepening understanding of what corporate buyers require to make MICE programmes successful.
Setting the Tone: Welcome & Insights
The session was led by Deepika Nair, Acting Trade Manager, South African Tourism. She highlighted the importance of Hyderabad as a host city and reiterated South Africa’s commitment to India as a key market.
Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australia, and Middle East, South African Tourism, said, “Hyderabad is a dynamic hub for business travel, and engaging with its corporate leaders is critical for us. These think tanks are platforms to co-create solutions, understand evolving trends, and strengthen our partnerships with India’s corporate community.”
Kamal Gill, Director of OptiMICE Events Pvt. Ltd, and Executive Editor of Today’s Traveler, took on the role of moderator for the session, guiding discussions, encouraging active participation, and ensuring that the exchange remained collaborative and solution-focused.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Corporate Travel Growth
India’s outbound MICE market has been on a steep growth trajectory. Post-pandemic, companies have increased investments in incentive travel, using it as a tool for motivation, employee engagement, and talent retention. Conferences and leadership offsites are once again in full swing, with a noticeable shift towards personalised, high-impact experiences.
South African Tourism has been quick to respond to these changes. By hosting multiple editions of Corporate Think Tank across key metros, it has created a knowledge-sharing ecosystem that captures evolving corporate priorities — from budget management and visa facilitation to ESG considerations and unique experiences that align with employee expectations.
A Strategic Market for South Africa
Speaking about the importance of this initiative, Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australia, and Middle East, South African Tourism, said, “The Corporate Think Tank plays a pivotal role in understanding the evolving requirements of Indian businesses and in simplifying their incentive travel planning.”
He added, “I am delighted with the strong participation as we kick off this year’s series in Hyderabad, a city brimming with potential for global business travel. The discussions have been extremely positive, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead to host corporate events and meetings in South Africa. With India being one of our fastest-growing markets, Hyderabad’s corporate sector will play an instrumental role in driving South Africa’s MICE growth.”
The numbers underline this priority. In 2024, India contributed 20.2% of overall MICE arrivals to South Africa — one of the highest growth rates among all source markets. Business and MICE travellers together accounted for nearly half (49.6%) of total Indian arrivals, demonstrating the strength of this segment.
Hyderabad’s Strategic Role
Hyderabad has evolved into one of India’s most dynamic corporate travel hubs, powered by its booming IT corridor, strong presence of global pharmaceutical majors, and an expanding start-up ecosystem. Its connectivity, infrastructure, and corporate mix make it a natural choice for such a knowledge exchange.
Participants at this edition explored how South Africa’s MICE offerings can be tailored to suit diverse industries from tech-driven innovation summits to reward trips for top-performing sales teams. The city’s delegates welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with South African Tourism’s representatives and clarify planning considerations in real time.
Cost Advantage and Value Proposition
One of South Africa’s strongest selling points remains its exceptional value for money. With the South African Rand trading at roughly INR 4.40, Indian corporates can plan elaborate events, conferences, and incentive trips at a fraction of the cost compared to Europe or North America — without compromising on quality or experience.
This financial advantage is amplified by the country’s seamless blend of business infrastructure and leisure appeal. Delegates can spend the morning in a world-class convention centre and, by afternoon, embark on a game drive to see the Big Five. This unique combination is a differentiator that resonates strongly with Indian planners looking for high-impact itineraries.
MICE Strengths & Destination Appeal
South Africa offers an extensive range of venues and experiences suitable for groups of every size. Delegates at the Think Tank were given a detailed update on:
- Visa facilitation – The launch of the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) facilitates visa processing within just three working days – making it faster and easier than ever to visit South Africa.
- Convention infrastructure – including major cities like Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg, all equipped with state-of-the-art conference facilities
- Boutique and luxury stays – ideal for C-suite offsites, strategy meetings, and small group incentives
- Adventure and wildlife options – over 3,000 adrenaline activities available, appealing to younger, experience-driven employees
- Diversity of experiences – wine routes, culinary trails, coastal escapes, and cultural immersions, allowing companies to combine work and leisure effortlessly
This rich mix means a company can plan a complete cycle of engagement from conferences, team-building, and leisure extension, all within one destination, creating an immersive, rewarding experience for participants.
A Knowledge Exchange That Delivers
Kamal Gill, Director of OptiMICE Events Pvt. Ltd, and Executive Editor of Today’s Traveler emphasised, “Think Tank platforms play a crucial role in connecting tourism boards with corporate decision-makers and driving real collaboration.”
Discussions also touched on practical aspects such as seasonality, flight connectivity, and programme design to maximise productivity and employee delight. The interactive nature of the session allowed corporates to share first-hand feedback on their experiences and expectations, which will be instrumental in shaping future campaigns.
Looking Ahead: A Growth Mindset
South Africa welcomed 79,774 Indian visitors in 2024, marking a remarkable 43% year-on-year growth. With MICE contributing a significant portion of this traffic, the tourism board’s target for 2025 is ambitious yet achievable: crossing the milestone of 1,00,000 Indian arrivals.
To achieve this, efforts will focus on:
- Expanding air connectivity between Indian metros and South African gateways
- Strengthening partnerships with Indian event planners and MICE agencies
- Offering destination education programmes to equip corporates with planning tools
- Showcasing South Africa’s unique blend of value, variety, and seamless execution
Building the Future of MICE Together
The Hyderabad edition of Corporate Think Tank 2025 was more than an event — it was a reaffirmation of partnership and possibility. As India’s outbound MICE market grows at an unprecedented pace, South African Tourism is positioning itself at the centre of this evolution.
With its mix of competitive pricing, compelling experiences, and proactive engagement, South Africa is not just keeping pace with India’s corporate travel needs but staying a step ahead. By consistently creating platforms like these, it ensures that the Rainbow Nation remains the go-to destination for business events, incentives, and conferences in the years to come.
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