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If tourism is a sector of progress for the people of Africa, then INDABA was its embodiment. With exhibitors from 17 countries like Egypt, Madagascar, Botswana, Mauritius, Seychelles, Namibia, Tanzania, Benin, Lesotho, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Swaziland, Malawi, Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique and of course South Africa – Indaba showcased more exhibitors from the continent under one roof than ever, with over nine of the continent’s Tourism Ministers present. INDABA, the premier African travel and tourism show in the world concluded with 14,000 business meetings, 1,050 exhibitors, 1,856 buyers and 724 media.
The theme for INDABA this year was ‘Putting you at the forefront of business success’ and it was South African Tourism’s promise to its exhibitors on show at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban from May 7 to 9.
Indaba 2016 delivered better business results and more meaningful interactions with key buyers from across the globe – again demonstrating the growth and potential of African tourism sector. For established companies Indaba offered the opportunity to connect with loyal existing clients and the potential to develop new business.
About 40 Tanzanian tourism stakeholders, including national conservation agencies, Ngorongoro crater and Tanapa led by the Tanzania Tourist Board, participated at INDABA. “While we expect a significant growth of International arrivals this year, regional markets remain a potential segment that we are happy with the response of the Indaba trade show,” said Devota Mdachi, Managing Director, Tanzania Tourist Board.
“INDABA is where we finalise contracts with our clients and consolidate our brand with operators we’ve developed relationships with over the year,” says Belinda Pedersen, General Manager, International Sales, Tsogo Sun.
“Our primary objective is to showcase the significance of Freedom Park (Pretoria) as liberation heritage product at this prestigious event whilst keeping abreast with global trends and new developments within the tourism and travel industry,” says Jane Mufamadi, Chief Executive Officer, Freedom Park, the heritage destination of South Africa.
Last year, the Travel and Tourism Competitive Report, presented by the World Economic Forum, confirmed that tourism constitutes nine percent of Africa’s overall economy and that some African nations were well positioned to benefit from the projected 4.9% growth in the continent’s travel and tourism business. Tourism arrivals to the continent are projected to reach 130 million travellers by 2030, over double the current 50 million arrivals.
Open skies, interdepartmental collaboration and trust between government and industry were some of the topics discussed at the Ministerial Media Talk facilitated by CNN anchor Richard Quest.
No other initiative gives South African travel and tourism exhibitors the most lucrative platform, to sell their products and services to buyers from across the world than INDABA’s speed marketing sessions. In just five minutes, exhibitors demonstrated to between 170 and 200 global buyers, that as entrepreneurs they understand, how to operate, market and package, their offerings in line with local and global trends. Three days were dedicated to three themes – a) World Heritage Sites & Culture, b) Safari and c) Adventure.
For the first time, INDABA had a Hidden Gems Zone, built to showcase products and services from South African Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs). For three days of the exhibition, SMMEs enjoyed networking opportunities with buyers from around the world; attended workshops facilitated to provide knowledge and tools on how to access the market and shared their stories with global media.
South African Tourism India office took the initiative to take an Indian delegation with a good mix of travel agents, tour operators working in African sector, mainline as well as travel trade media and bloggers. The delegation was given a taste of African wildlife with pre and post familiarisation tours that included select property inspections, private safaris and game drives.
Source: travelnewsdigest.in