DURBAN (South Africa), May 12 (NNN-SANEWS) — Some 1,300 exhibitors and 1,200 buyers from 55 countries will grace this year’s Africa Travel Indaba being hosted in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, under the theme: “Unlimited Africa”. It will kick off on Monday, May 12.
Speaking at the second G20 Tourism Working Group meeting held in Durban on Sunday, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille described the indaba as the pride of tourism on the continent.
“In May every year, Durban and KwaZulu-Natal are the host city and province to the biggest showcase of Africa’s tourism excellence. Africa’s Travel Indaba is the pride of African tourism.
“This year’s indaba welcomes over 1,300 exhibitors, delegates from 27 African countries, and over 1,200 vetted international buyers from 55 source markets. We are incredibly honoured to welcome new participants from Chad, St Helena, and Burkina Faso, whose presence affirms the indaba’s growing role as a genuinely continental platform,” she said.
This year’s indaba will host:
- Insightful sessions designed to drive the growth of the African tourism sector forward;
- Opportunities to forge new and sustained partnerships through the various networking sessions;
- Updates on South Africa’s global tourism marketing strategies;
- A deeper focus on the economic significance and impact of the tourism industry, and
- An overall showcase of the greater African tourism sector at work.
Last year, the indaba proved an economic success for KwaZulu-Natal.
“Africa’s Travel Indaba generated R226 million in direct economic activity in Durban and an additional R333 million across the KwaZulu-Natal province.
“More than 1,000 jobs were created through the event, and 120 tourism Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises were given a platform to engage with global buyers and media through the Department of Tourism’s Market Access Support Programme,” De Lille highlighted. — NNN-SANEWS
