As a testament to its commitment to the burgeoning Indian MICE market, South African Tourism is set to launch the fifth edition of its flagship Corporate Think Tank
The series will be hosted in four key hubs such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata on 19th September 2025, 07th November 2025, 12th December 2025, and 30th January 2026 respectively. Aimed at positioning the Rainbow Nation as a leading destination for global business events, the Corporate Think Tank brings together key industry leaders and corporate decision makers to explore business growth, evolving travel demands, and the future of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).
Led by Deepika Nair, Acting Trade Manager, South African Tourism, the event will connect with Indian corporates across key sectors such as IT, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. By expanding its focus beyond traditional metro markets, the initiative aims to tap new emerging business hubs like Chennai and Kolkata along with other cities, fostering greater accessibility and inclusivity.
The initiative will highlight South Africa’s transformation into a modern, experiential destination that seamlessly blends world-class business infrastructure with leisure opportunities. Discussions will focus on evolving market trends such as digital transformation, sustainability, and innovative event strategies, while emphasizing the country’s capability to host large-scale conferences, incentive travel programs, and world-class corporate meetings. Further, catering to emerging preferences like sustainability-focused initiatives, family-inclusive business trips, and team-building engagement programs.
Speaking about the importance of this initiative, Deepika Nair, Acting Trade Manager, South African Tourism, said, “India plays a pivotal role in our MICE strategy as one of the top contributors to arrivals in South Africa. We are excited to bring the fifth edition of Corporate Think Tank to India, where we will engage corporate leaders and decision-makers to showcase South Africa’s incredible potential as a business event destination. This 2025 initiative underscores our vision of establishing the Rainbow Nation as the premier MICE destination by offering state-of-the-art infrastructure, exceptional experiences, and cost-effective solutions. By consistently engaging with India’s corporate community, we aim to set new benchmarks for MICE travel and drive sustained growth in this thriving segment.”
Building on the success of previous editions, South African Tourism’s 2025 Corporate Think Tank highlights the dynamic growth of India’s corporate travel landscape and its critical role in South Africa’s MICE sector. In 2024, India emerged as one of South Africa’s fastest-growing source markets for MICE travel, contributing 20.2% of overall MICE arrivals. Business and MICE travellers collectively accounted for nearly half (49.6%) of Indian arrivals, underscoring the significant impact of this segment on South Africa’s tourism industry.
With Corporate Think Tank 2025, South African Tourism aims to build on this momentum and drive strong growth in MICE arrivals from India. As part of its broader strategy to create innovative platforms that inspire and engage the Indian corporate travel community, the initiative will spotlight South Africa as both a business-ready destination and a vibrant hub of culture and experiences.
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