After a two-year pause, Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022 is gearing up to welcome delegates from across the world to connect and help contribute to the African continent’s tourism sector recovery.
Tourism operators and media gathered in Durban to kick-start the countdown to Africa’s Travel Indaba, alongside virtual participants where they were updated on what delegates can expect at the return of Africa’s premier travel trade show which is set to take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in the city of Durban from the 2 to 5 May 2022.
The theme is Africa’s stories, highlighting the success stories that reaffirm Africa is reclaiming its own narrative and is ready to share with the world inspiring stories of resilience shown throughout the pandemic.
South African Tourism’s acting CEO, Themba Khumalo, invited players in the tourism industry (both local, regional and international) to come and attend Africa’s Travel Indaba.
Khumalo emphasised that the event is an African trade show tailored to advancing the continent’s tourism sector needs, with a clear outlook towards recovery.
“We believe that this platform will showcase authentic African experiences and products. Buyers from across the globe will have access to only the best and uniquely African products and experiences,” he said.
Senior manager of PR and communications for Tourism Kwa Zulu-Natal (KZN), the host province for this year’s Indaba, said as hosts, her organisation will go all out at this years’ Indaba to reposition KZN to its global markets and will highlight key tourism developments that have emerged in the province in the past two years.
“Africa’s Travel Indaba will be a phenomenal springboard to relaunch KZN back to the global arena to start regaining the international travel markets back to the province,” Radebe added.
“This is an opportunity to showcase the destination’s hosting capabilities and hospitality. We will also offer buyers a first-hand experience through pre and post tours, reinforcing the destination brand in the minds of the participants.”
Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, the chief convention bureau officer at the South Africa National Convention Bureau, said that there is a lot to look forward to at this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba.
“As always, the programme for Africa’s Travel Indaba is packed with opportunities to ensure that both our exhibitors and buyers extract maximum value from the trade show,” said Kotze-Nhlapo.
“Our internationally benchmarked diary system that pairs global vetted buyers with quality exhibitors will ensure seamless booking of meetings ahead of the show.”
With travellers from across the world seeking new experiences, Africa’s Travel Indaba is designed to empower small and lesser-known businesses in the tourism sector. The trade show will feature SMMEs from all of South Africa’s nine provinces.
While Africa’s Travel Indaba is about doing business and connecting, the trade show will also feature Bond Day sessions which will address various topics, for delegates to share insights and ideas, contributing to the growth of the broader global tourism industry.
At the last edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba in 2019, the show attracted about 6,200 delegates from all over the world, with 1033 exhibiting businesses from 19 countries on the continent, showcasing an array of travel and tourism offerings to almost 1177 local, regional and international buyers.
Almost 452 local, regional and international media representatives participated in Africa’s Travel Indaba 2019, pointing to the stature and global profile of the African continent’s tourism industry.
To date, there are currently just over 400 African exhibitors and 454 buyers, from 47 countries around the world confirmed to attend Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022 and ready to do business.
These countries include Australia, South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, to name a few.
Africa’s Travel Indaba is set to bring much needed economic injection into the city of Durban and the KZN province at large as international delegates will be hosted on pre and post tours to familiarise them with the province’s tourism offerings.
Featured image: Left to right: Makhosi Msimango, Ndzenga Tours. Themba Khumalo, acting CEO of South African Tourism. Winile Mntungwa, deputy head, Durban Tourism. Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo, chief convention bureau officer, SA National Convention Bureau (SANCB)
