Of particular importance here is the
fact that the (western) media helped
Paris to pick up the pieces and move on.
Unfortunately, such synergy as
exemplified by France during this
dark period, at times, if not most of
the times, is a rarity in Africa. And
that is where the rain starts beating
us when it comes to perception issues
in this continent.
As Africa, we certainly need to tell
our own story in order to counteract
the negative perception that keeps
hurting a myriad of businesses in
Africa. It will be recalled that when
there was Ebola outbreak in the
very far Western part of Africa,
we had numerous cancellations for
Conferences destined for Nairobi in
the very far Eastern part of Africa.
The question is, did we, as Africans
stand up, to tell our own story?
For the records it takes 7hrs 40 mins
to fly JKIA – Schiphol Amsterdam, it
takes far less time to travel from say
Liberia – the epicenter of Ebola to
Schiphol.
The implication therefore is that due
to proximity, it is easier for Ebola to
spread faster from Liberia to Europe
than from Liberia to Kenya.
So why didn’t they cancel conferences
destined for Europe because Europe
is closer to Liberia than Kenya is
to Europe? According to Industry
sources Even South Africa in the
very bottom part of the continent
experienced massive cancellations.
‘‘MICE Industry (Meetings, Incentives,
Conferences, and Events/Exhibitions) has
been referred to as the resilient niche of the
larger tourism industry.’’
As Africans, we again failed
ourselves by not seizing the
opportunity to tell our side of the
story when we had unfortunate
incidences with migration crisis in
the Mediterranean.
Yes many immigrants (NOTE
not all were Africa immigrants)
met undignified death trying to
cross over in hope of finding better
opportunities but around the same
time nobody talked about the
positive reverse migration which
was taking place between these two
continents.
Africans were returning back home
from oversees with MBAs and
PHD’s. Some were coming back
to set up start-ups which have
created jobs and changed lives while
others were coming back home to
reunite with family ties or take up
employment in their motherland.
Interestingly a considerable
number of non-Africans were also
migrating to Africa in such of better
opportunities, expatriate jobs (they
never go back after expiry of their
terms) and investment opportunities.
Except for The Economist Magazine,
I don’t remember reading about this
positive news about Africa around
this time. Not even our very own
local print media covered this aspect
of positive immigration patterns.
In conclusion I would say that the
world today is full of socio-economic
and security related issues that every
industry faces. These issues have no
boundaries and can happen anywhere
in today’s world.
Nevertheless, the way a destination
reacts to such incidents and rallies
its political class on what to say to
ultimately get the desired perception
will always make a big difference for
any two unlucky destinations in two
different parts of the world, facing
the same terrorist attack incident for
instance.
To this end as long as Africa doesn’t
see the need to play a leading role in
telling her own story, then MICE
destinations in Africa will continue to
bear the brunt of consequent negative
publicity by other
Ben Asoro is an international Mice Expert
currently working as Director - Marketing
& Sales at Calabar International
Convention Centre in Nigeria. You can
engage him on this or related issues via mail
at: [email protected].