Africa’s inaugural glamping expo is happening next month
Johannesburg will host Africa’s first-ever glamping expo, showcasing products and expert insights.
Glamping Adventures is organizing Africa’s inaugural glamping expo at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in late October 2024.
What can visitors expect at the expo?
The expo, Africa’s first-ever glamping expo, will take place on 28 and 29 October. It will showcase the complete glamping scene, featuring top glamping products and venues from Africa, along with service providers and also investors. Visitors will have the chance to explore the newest trends in glamping, including eco-friendly pods. They will also learn about new glamping spots in South Africa, as reported by Now Media.
“This event provides a comprehensive platform for showcasing innovations across the glamping value chain. It is a business-to-consumer event that promises to deliver valuable insights and connections while showcasing innovations in the glamping space.”
Gugu Sithole, CEO of Glamping Adventures and expo founder
Speakers at the expo
Several distinguished speakers will also be part of the expo. Jillian Blackbeard, CEO of Africa’s Eden Tourism Association, and Sisa Ntshona, veteran destination marketer and chairman of ParkBookings.Com, are two of the speakers who will be presenting at the expo. Other speakers include Faith Meyer from Geodesic Forests, Siphelele Luthuli from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and Alex Lazarou, a futuristic architect.
Topics that the speakers will cover include sustainable tourism, glamping construction regulations, andn also investment opportunities.
The venue
The glamping expo will take place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (JEC) on the corner of Nasrec and Randshow Roads in Johannesburg. It is South Africa’s largest purpose-built exhibition, conference, convention, and events venue. It is also one of Johannesburg’s best-known landmarks.
Travelling from Pretoria, it will take approximately 50 minutes to get there via Ben Schoeman Freeway, Pretoria Main Rd/N1, and the N1 Western Bypass.
Travelling from Alberton, it will take approximately 30 minutes to get to the venue via the N12 Southern Bypass.
The rise of glamping
According to Getaway magazine, market research shows that glamping is a new segment of the camping industry and a fast-growing one. It also suggests that younger people in the population are the ones driving this market. A corresponding increase in Google searches for glamping sites reflects an uptick in interest in domestic tourism destinations.
Glamping has opened up the world of camping to those who want the experience of camping without the ruggedness of it, or at least with some of the luxuries not usually associated with camping such as a comfortable bed. Glamping also eliminates the effort of having to pitch a tent yourself.