The Association of African Exhibition Organisers Advocates for Environmentally-conscious Events
According to The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), business travel and tourism in Africa is projected to grow at an annual rate of 7.6% by 2028. With growing investment and attention toward events throughout the continent, prioritising environmentally-responsible gatherings has become increasingly imperative. In fact, research conducted by the Events Industry Council highlights that integrating sustainability into event organisation not only yields a notable 20-30% decrease in expenses but results in a substantial 60-80% reduction in waste.
“A myriad of factors contribute to waste, spanning from disposable plastics to excess food. Surprisingly, the average event discards 15%-20% of its food, while the industry as a whole squanders 10% of its output. On average, each attendee generates a staggering 1.89kg of waste daily, of which 1.16kg ends up in landfills. These figures underscore the importance for prioritising sustainability in event management across Africa, integrating it into the very beginning stage of planning,” says Devi Paulsen-Abbott, Chairperson of AAXO.
Source: Tourismnewsafrica
