Yesterday, the new Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, and various tourism role players gathered with the media at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban to officially start the countdown to Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023.
The annual pan-African leisure tourism trade show is owned and managed by South African Tourism, and is tailored to advancing the continent’s tourism sector needs.
“We win, when we ALL win!”
Minister de Lille highlighted the role Africa’s Travel Indaba plays in contributing to Africa’s tourism sector recovery and growth post the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, “Now it is up to each and every one of us to play our part to re-ignite the AFRICAN economy. We win, when we ALL win! Africa’s Travel Indaba presents us with an opportunity to continue with the efforts we started last year when the sector met in person for the first time post the COVID-19 pandemic.”
What to expect
This year’s event will see many popular features return, as well as some changes – including a new look and an even greater emphasis on networking to optimise business opportunities for the exhibitors and buyers.
Familiar favourites visitors can expect include a pavilion hosting leading SMMEs from all nine provinces, as well as exhibitors with more established businesses from across the African continent. Some delegates will also attend the popular pre- and post-show tours to familiarise them with the province’s varied tourism offerings.
Mr Nhlanhla Khumalo, Acting CEO of Tourism KZN, noted the province is ready for the show’s visitors, saying, “KwaZulu-Natal has more than 20 years’ experience in hosting Africa’s Travel Indaba together with a number of world class events and we are confident that this year will be no different. The province has adequate accommodation establishments within a reasonable travel distance to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. With a number of airlines that fly directly to King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), domestic and international delegates should travel with ease to the province.”
Durban projected to receive R130 million in visitor spend
Councillor Phili Mbatha-Ndlovu, the EThekwini Deputy Chairperson for Economic Development and Planning Committee, highlighted the economic potential of the event, saying, “Our projections indicate that Africa’s Travel Indaba for 2023 will contribute over R130 million to the city’s GDP and create over 250 job opportunities. We anticipate a hotel occupancy rate of 90% which will be a major boost for the hospitality sector.”
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022 attracted more 5 500 delegates from all over the world, who came to discover the array of travel and tourism offerings provided by the show’s 634 exhibitors from 19 African countries.
This year’s event will run from 8 to 11 May 2023 at the Durban ICC. Find out more at www.indaba-southafrica.co.za.
