Durban — It is official, Africa’s Travel Indaba will be returning to KwaZulu-Natal for the next three years.
In a statement on Sunday, South African Tourism said that registration for Africa’s Travel Indaba opens on Monday, December 12, 2022. Africa’s Travel Indaba will see Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (Durban ICC) turn into a lively hub of activity from May 9 to 11, 2023.
“This follows a momentous signing ceremony, once again confirming the province of KwaZulu-Natal as the home of Africa’s Travel Indaba for the next three years,” South African Tourism said.
Present at the signing ceremony was South African Tourism acting chief executive officer Themba Mzilikazi Khumalo, Tourism KZN acting chief executive officer Nhlanhla Khumalo, eThekwini Municipality city manager Musa Mbhele and Durban ICC chief executive officer Lindiwe Rakharebe.
Owned and managed by South African Tourism and hosted in partnership with Tourism KZN, the eThekwini Municipality and Durban’s ICC, Africa’s Travel Indaba is a big economic contributor to the city of Durban and the greater KZN province.
“In 2022 we hosted Africa’s Travel Indaba for the first time after a two-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic and we were excited to return with renewed energy and focus. Going into 2023, we are thrilled to have officially re-affirmed our journey for the next few years and beyond with our long-standing partners,” Themba Mzilikazi Khumalo said.
“Africa’s Travel Indaba contributes to our country’s economy and plays an important role in advancing the growth of our continent’s tourism sector.”
Nhlanhla Khumalo said: “Africa’s Travel Indaba brings thousands of travel buyers from across the world to our province and plays a pivotal role in helping us to implement our Tourism Sector Recovery Plan, particularly in reviving our international markets. This trade show is also key in the development of our tourism small, medium and micro enterprises that are given the opportunity to showcase their products and forge deals that can grow their tourism businesses.”
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said: “We welcome the return of Africa’s largest travel show to Durban. Africa’s Travel Indaba is the perfect platform to promote South African products. As registration is now officially open, we invite businesses in the tourism sector not to miss this opportunity and register early in order to fully explore opportunities to meet new clients next year and expose their work.”
Mbhele added: “Our association with Africa’s Travel Indaba dates back many years. We are excited and grateful for this opportunity to continue hosting one of Africa’s largest trade shows for the next three years. This is an unequivocal vote of confidence in eThekwini as a premier travel eventing and business destination.”
ICC board chairperson Glen Mashinini and Rakherebe expressed their excitement about hosting Africa’s Travel Indaba again.
“We are looking forward to welcoming delegates from across the world who are passionate about the business meetings and opportunities that Africa’s Travel Indaba presents.”
Themba Khumalo added: “As the South African tourism sector, we cannot wait to connect with all our delegates over our shared passion for the African continent. Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 has more exciting news in store. We are looking forward to seeing, meeting, networking, and doing business with all partners and stakeholders from around the world.”
In May, Africa’s Travel Indaba is anticipated to attract pre-Covid-19 numbers of over 8000 delegates from all over the world.
The 2022 edition of the trade show bustled with more than 634 exhibiting businesses from 19 African countries, showcasing an array of travel and tourism offerings to almost 956 local and international buyers.
Almost 282 local and international media representatives attended Africa’s Travel Indaba in 2022, greatly elevating the global profile of tourism on the African continent.
The 2022 event also saw more than 13 804 confirmed business matchmaking meetings taking place between businesses and travel buyers.
Exhibitors, buyers, and members of the media are invited to register and get accreditation online by visiting https://www.indaba-southafrica.co.za.
Daily News