WYSTC 2015 to Take Place in Cape Town, South Africa

Preparations for the 24th annual World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC), to be held in Cape Town, have stepped up a gear as representatives from organiser WYSE Travel Confederation met with South Africa’s Minister for Tourism recently.

The WYSE Travel Confederation delegation, which included Director General David Chapman and Chairman of the Board Ashraf Wali, met with Mr Derek Hanekom, South Africa’s Minister for Tourism, along with representatives from the South Africa Youth Travel Confederation (SAYTC) during a site visit to Cape Town ahead of next September’s event.

“We are delighted to be bringing WYSTC to Africa for the first time and, fittingly, to be hosting next year’s event in the African city that our research reveals youth travellers would most like to visit in the future,” said Mr Chapman. “During the meeting we developed a collaborative partnership that will support the delivery of an exceptional WYSTC 2015 for delegates and partners while showcasing South Africa as a youth, student and educational travel destination. Our long-term goal is to ensure that the conference creates a lasting legacy for the country’s youth and student travel industry.”

Tourism as a whole generated 9.5% of South Africa’s gross domestic product in 2013 and accounts for more than 1.4 million direct and indirect jobs in the country. The youth sector provides a significant contribution to total tourism receipts and will play an important role in the future sustainability of South Africa’s tourism export earnings.

Minister Hanekom said, “It is an immense honour for South Africa to have been selected to host WYSTC 2015. We look forward to hosting delegates from all over the world at this exciting event.”

WYSTC 2015 will be held at Cape Town’s International Convention Centre from 22 - 25 September. Registration will open early next year.