In a concerted effort to further promote and grow business tourism in Joburg, The Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) has appointed Onke Mjo, General Manager of the Johannesburg Convention Bureau, a unit of the JTC.

Mjo, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Movement Sciences and Honours in Exercise Science as well as a Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Durban Westville, comes to the JTC, from the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee where she was the GM: General Operations & National Federations Support.

Prior to that she spent five years at the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport SETA, where she was responsible for the coordination and implementation of skills development across the hospitality, tourism and sport sector.

It was at the SETA that Mjo honed her understanding of the tourism and hospitality industry. She bolstered this experience through the pivotal role that she played in developing sporting bid plans at the Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee. This experience was her first insight into the world of business tourism, experience which will prove invaluable in her new role at the JTC.

As GM of the Johannesburg Convention Bureau, Mjo sees her challenge as realising the full potential of business tourism to Johannesburg, which is growing in stature both as a desirable international destination and as the business and commercial hub of the country and the continent.

Pointing out that the city benefits to the tune of many millions of Rands from business tourism, in the form of conventions, exhibitions, and cultural and sporting events, Mjo says an immediate target is to position Joburg on the global stage as a leading business tourism destination.

With world class hotels, business facilities, telecommunications and a direct and frequent air linkage to major global centers, Johannesburg has as much of a competitive advantage as other world cities.

Research indicates that international conferences alone generate R951 million for the country and are worth R42 million in foreign exchange.

“Joburg, as the only city in South Africa that boasts 4 convention centers with a capacity of over 5000 and a further 130 medium to smaller sized venues, should gear itself to gain a bigger share of this market,” says Mjo.

She emphasises that achieving these goals requires a solid partnership with the private sector and provincial and national tourism bodies to facilitate fund raising for bidding purposes.

Mjo says, “Without a substantial bidding fund or ready access to funds when opportunities arise, Joburg will not be able to make aggressive inroads in attracting and winning mega-events.”

She is however quick to point out that her concentration will not be on mega events solely. Small and medium sized business events provide a consistent and sustainable stream of arrivals into the city and their impact cannot be ignored.

“I am excited that Onke has joined The Johannesburg Tourism Company family,” says Eddy Khosa, the CEO.  “Her wealth of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry and sport arenas will help us forge the necessary and vital links between sport and tourism.”