WITH Covid now discarded, tourism sector and other industries are beginning to show improvement from Y/Y financial results and economic stability.
Talk of economy, the 2024 Africa Travel Indaba has been launched after much fanfare, on Tuesday, that will see double digits economical benefits trickling into the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The much awaited Indaba will be held its ancestral venue Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Center, Durban, from 13 to 16 May, 2024, whose theme is “Unlimited Africa”.
According to the organisers South African Tourism, the floor space has been sold-out, meaning twenty-six African countries will participate and 120 SMMEs will be hosted at the Hidden Gems zone in collaboration with the Department of Tourism.
The 2023 edition witnessed remarkable growth, with a nearly 62% increase in attendance and over 1033 exhibiting companies, attracting 8688 delegates from twenty-two countries and contributed (R 451 546 283) to eThekwini’s GDP and R 597 051 772 to KwaZulu-Natal underscoring the event’s significance.
Those are good news for the province that has been hit hard by floods and displacement of families, amongst others.
Siboniso Duma, MEC Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, says: “We are excited to welcome Africa’s Travel Indaba back to KwaZulu-Natal again in 2024.
Africa’s Travel Indaba plays a significant role in our tourism growth as KwaZulu-Natal and has immeasurable impact on our economy. Again, this year, we will have several emerging tourism entrepreneurs participating as part of the Tourism KZN, Tourism Enterprise Development Programme to afford them an opportunity to showcase their businesses and lock business deals to help them grow in the sector.”
Indaba draws local and international guests who congregate under one roof to iron-out issues such as (AI) in Tourism, capacity building and knowledge sharing, and identifying local tourism products with niche markets and supporting community tourism organizations in KZN and other provinces in SA.
“This show serves as the premier platform for showcasing Africa’s diverse tourism offerings and experiences.
The trade show holds immense significance for the tourism sector and the broader economy. The economic and cultural impact of this trade show is central to the success of our continent,” elaborated deputy minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela, during his keynote address at the launch held at BAT Center.
Guests would receive unparalleled and tailored networking sessions, insights-driven panel discussions, speed marketing sessions showcasing new tourism products, a sophisticated match-making diary system, airline and Tourism Grading Council pavilions, and a wide array of products from across the African tourism sector.
Preceding the main event is the Business Opportunities Networking Day (BONDay) on May 13, offering invaluable networking opportunities, thought leadership discussions, and insights into global trends.
At the time of publishing most of hotels and B&Bs were fully booked, for this global gathering, hence ‘Unlimited Africa‘, simply put: showcasing an abundance of what Africa has to offer!
Image (KZN MEC for Economic Development, Siboniso Duma, addressing guests at the 2024 Indaba Tourism media launch on Tuesday morning).
