Registration for Africa’s Travel Indaba – to be held at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC) from May 9 to 11 next year – opened yesterday (Monday, December 12).
Owned and managed by South African Tourism and hosted in partnership with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, the eThekwini Municipality and the ICC Africa’s Travel Indaba is a big economic contributor to the city of Durban and the greater KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province.
“In 2022 we hosted Africa’s Travel Indaba for the first time after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we were excited to return with renewed energy and focus. Going into 2023, we are thrilled to have officially re-affirmed our journey for the next few years and beyond with our long-standing partners,” said South African Tourism’s Acting CEO, Themba Mzilikazi Khumalo.
“Africa’s Travel Indaba brings thousands of travel buyers from across the world to our province and plays a pivotal role in helping us to implement our Tourism Sector Recovery Plan, particularly in reviving our international markets. This trade show is also key in the development of our tourism Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) that are given the opportunity to showcase their products and forge deals that can grow their tourism businesses,” said Acting CEO of Tourism KZN, Nhlanhla Khumalo.
eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, in welcoming the return of Africa’s largest travel show to Durban, said: “Africa’s Travel Indaba is the perfect platform to promote South African products. As registration is now officially open, we invite businesses in the tourism sector not to miss this opportunity and register early in order to fully explore opportunities to meet new clients next year and expose their product offerings.”
eThekwini City Manager, Musa Mbhele, noted: “Our association with Africa’s Travel Indaba dates back many years. We are excited and grateful for this opportunity to continue hosting one of Africa’s largest trade shows for the next three years. This is an unequivocal vote of confidence in eThekwini as a premier travel eventing and business destination.”
The Board Chairperson of Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC, Glen Mashinini, and CEO, Lindiwe Rakherebe, expressed their excitement about hosting the event again adding: “We are looking forward to welcoming delegates from across the world who are passionate about the business meetings and opportunities that Africa’s Travel Indaba presents.”
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 is anticipated to attract pre-COVID-19 numbers of more than 8 000 delegates from all over the world. The 2022 edition of the trade show had over 634 exhibitors businesses from 19 African countries showcasing an array of travel and tourism offerings to almost 956 local and international buyers.
Furthermore, almost 282 local and international media representatives attended in 2022. The event also saw more than 13 804 confirmed business matchmaking meetings taking place between businesses and travel buyers.
“As the South African tourism sector, we cannot wait to connect with all our delegates over our shared passion for the African continent. Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 has more exciting news in store. We are looking forward to seeing, meeting, networking, and doing business with all partners and stakeholders from around the world,” said SA Tourism’s Khumalo.
Exhibitors, buyers and members of the media are invited to register and receive accreditation online by visiting https://www.indaba-southafrica.co.za/
