The Global Business
Travel Association announced that the Institute of Travel & Meetings
Southern Africa formally merged into the organization. As a chapter of the
Global Business Travel Association, ITMSA now is called GBTA Southern Africa.
"When we started ITMSA
in 2006, we knew that it would bring value to the business travel market,"
according to a statement from ITMSA chair Linda Basson, who also serves as procurement
lead for Accenture in South Africa and across Europe, Africa and the Middle
East. "Now, with the Africa region
positioned as a high-growth market expected to boom around 2020, we as Africans
are presented with exciting opportunities. It makes perfect sense for us to be
fully aligned to an association which represents travel professionals globally."
ITMSA first announced a partnership with GBTA in June 2012.
GBTA added that its
Energy and Resources Travel Symposium will be held July 3 in Cape Town.
To specifically serve
that sector, GBTA also announced the formation of an Energy, Resource &
Marine Task Force to develop educational content and research. The association
in November plans to hold a symposium in Houston addressing the needs of the
sector. Similar meetings have been held annually in Europe since 2011.