Africa’s Travel Indaba, a prominent tourism trade show, is scheduled to take place from May 13th to 16th at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in South Africa.
Chairperson of the eThekwini Municipality Economic
Development and Planning Committee, Councillor Thembo Ntuli, emphasised the
importance of Indaba for Durban’s tourism industry, saying, “Indaba is an
instrumental platform for the tourism industry which is firmly on the road to
recovery. The show has become synonymous with the city of Durban as we have
hosted this Africa’s critical tourism showcase over many years.
“The city’s economy will benefit immensely from hosting this
three-day long trade showcase as hotel occupancy is expected to be between 85
to 95 percent. In addition, local tourism products and community tourism
organizations are ready and eager to engage with buyers, tour operators, and
travel agencies to continue selling Durban as the destination of choice.”
The 2023 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba recorded
substantial growth, with increased attendance of almost 62%, with over 8,500
delegates attending from 22 countries, and significant contributions to the GDP
of eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Inkosi Albert Luthuli
Convention Centre, Ms. Lindiwe-Rakherebe, expressed enthusiasm for hosting
Africa’s Travel Indaba as she said, We are fully committed to ensuring that our
venue provides the perfect setting for international buyers and media to
connect with the best of Africa’s tourism products. With our state-of-the-art
facilities and dedicated staff, we are ready to welcome participants from
across the globe and make Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024 a resounding success.”
This event, known for its global significance, attracts
thousands of participants, including exhibitors from various African nations
and international buyers. More than just a platform for business transactions,
the event focuses on capacity building and knowledge sharing, benefiting all
attendees, particularly smaller and emerging businesses in the industry.
South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Honourable Fish
Mahlalela, highlighted the importance of Africa’s Travel Indaba as he said,
“This show is the premier platform for showcasing Africa’s diverse tourism
offerings and experiences. Its impact on the tourism sector and the broader
economy is immense and central to the success of our continent.”
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024 promises extensive value for
delegates, featuring tailored networking sessions, panel discussions, speed
marketing sessions, and a sophisticated match-making diary system.
Also, the participation of twenty-six African countries
underscores its status as a proudly Pan African show. Additionally, 120 Small,
Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) will be hosted at the Hidden Gems zone in
collaboration with the Department of Tourism.
The main event will be preceded by the Business
Opportunities Networking Day (BONDay) on May 13th, which will offer networking
opportunities and thought leadership discussions.
Furthermore, the partners for the event and provincial
hosts, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism, have organised pre- and post-tours for selected
delegates to showcase various experiences and products.
The MEC Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental
Affairs, Mr. Siboniso Duma, expressed excitement about hosting Africa’s Travel
Indaba in KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting its significant role in tourism growth
and economic impact. He emphasised the province’s readiness to accommodate
attendees, citing adequate accommodation establishments within a reasonable
travel distance to the venue.
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