It takes place at the historic Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, from March 29 to May 1, 2016.
This is part of Gauteng Tourism’s bigger role in developing, championing and supporting SMMEs within the travel and hospitality sector.
SMMEs contribute millions in the GDP of the country.
The fundamental objective of the Indaba is to showcase the products of emerging travel industry entrepreneurs in selected townships hubs and experiences to established operators in the inbound industry like big tour operators and travel trade and giving SME’s the opportunity to share in the benefits of international tourism selling and packaging experience and methodology.
The platform also affords them to market themselves as precursor to the annual Tourism Indaba, scheduled for Durban in May.
Local or kasie tourism has been at the receiving end due to lack of funding, poor managerial structure and non support from bigger companies with interest in tourism, and the Provincial Government under MEC for Economic Development Lebogang Maile, has sought to bridge the gap by involving SMMEs to share in the cake, rather than playing a second fiddle as is the case.
Since his appointment as head-honcho at GTA Siphiwe Ngwenya, has indicated that this platform will provide market access which SMEs currently do not enjoy.
“It has been a struggle for many Gauteng SMEs to get to the national Tourism Indaba in Durban for example and do business with big buyers or simply service both the domestic and regional markets.
This platform also offers an opportunity to introduce international tour operators, packages and buyers to a whole new and unique different side of Gauteng.”
Well known Soweto entrepreneurs Kgomotso Pooe (Soweto Outdoor Adventures) and Lebo from Lebo’s Bicycle Tours, will give insightful information to upcoming travel and hospitality owners, particularly youth, women and disabled.
The Indaba will comprise elements of speed marketing as well as familiarization tours of products in the townships of Soweto, Alexandra and neighbourhood of Fordsburg with over 60 township tourism SME interacting with 40 key international and national travel trade partners.
It is brought in partnership with SATSA (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association), Gauteng Propeller and City of Johannesburg.
