Minister of Tourism Marthinus Van Schalkwyk and Premier Hotels & Resorts MD Samuel Nassimov were in a huddle at Meetings Africa in Sandton yesterday.

In discussion, the fact that South Africa now ranks 28th in the world as a business and conference destination - with over 200 international conferences destined for the country in 2011 - and that Premier Hotels & Resorts are well-positioned to grow this international market with the recent opening of the East London International Convention Centre as well as adding new hotels at OR Tambo International and in East London to their national profile. “We like to think we are personal enough but forceful a presence to be a leading player in the business travel and M.I.C.E. market,” says Samuel Nassimov.