KwaZulu-Natal has lobbied for the right to continue hosting South African trade show Indaba in Durban beyond 2015, citing the need for a permanent location.
Other trade shows connected to particular cities, such as ITB in Berlin and WTM in London, were given as examples of the importance of geographic certainty by tourism MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu.
Kwazulu-Natal has the rights to host the travel trade show until 2015 and committed to making the necessary investments.
“We will work with all stakeholders to grow this trade show to the level where it rivals and outshines the best trade shows in the world,” Mabuyakhulu said.
KwaZulu-Natal also announced a tourism strategy to position the province as Africa’s top beach destination.
The tourism body will collaborate with the private sector, airlines and tourism stakeholders to meet growth targets by 2030.
Developments will include a cable car in the Drakensberg mountains, Bluff Bridge in Durban and a second international convention centre in Durban.
“The lengths we go to to actively promote provincial tourism… are mirrored in the fact that we have regularly won the right to host the superb trade show that is tourism Indaba,” Mabuyakhulu said.
