{"id":43476,"date":"2023-04-11T17:36:15","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T15:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zulu.org.za\/travel\/?p=43476"},"modified":"2023-04-11T17:37:47","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T15:37:47","slug":"africas-travel-indaba-2023-towards-africas-tourism-sector-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitkzn-sa.com\/travel\/africas-travel-indaba-2023-towards-africas-tourism-sector-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"AFRICA\u2019S TRAVEL INDABA 2023: TOWARDS AFRICA\u2019S TOURISM SECTOR GROWTH!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A new look Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba is set to re-energise delegates from across the world when the show takes place in Durban from the 8th<\/sup> to the 11th<\/sup> of May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yesterday, new Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille; tourism role players and members of the media gathered at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in the city of Durban, to officially start the countdown to Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With about six weeks to go before Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba 2023 doors open, the trade show will not only have a new look but also promises a packed schedule with an even stronger emphasis on networking for optimising business opportunities for both exhibitors and buyers alike. Also joined by some virtual participants during the launch event, Minister de Lille highlighted the role Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba plays in contributing to Africa\u2019s tourism sector recovery and growth post the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow it is up to each and every one of us to play our part to re-ignite the AFRICAN economy.  We win, when we ALL win! <\/strong>Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba presents us with an opportunity to continue with the efforts we started last year when the sector met in person for the first time post the COVID-19 pandemic,\u201d said Minister de Lille. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s installment of Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba will see the return of some iconic events while also introducing new additions. Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba will once again host SMMEs from various provinces in South Africa. They will showcase their products and experiences to the thousands of delegates that will attend this year\u2019s edition. Adding to this variety of product offering will be the more established businesses from across the African continent who will be exhibiting throughout the three-day show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some delegates who will attend Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba will be hosted on pre and post tours to familiarise them with the province\u2019s tourism offerings. This is set to bring much needed economic injection into the city of Durban and the KZN province at large as international<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur projections indicate that Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba for 2023 will contribute over R130 million to the city\u2019s GDP and create over 250 job opportunities. We anticipate a hotel occupancy rate of 90% which will be a major boost for the hospitality sector, said Councillor Phili Mbatha-Ndlovu; EThekwini Deputy Chairperson for Economic Development and Planning Committee. She added that the City is ready to roll-out a red carpet for all the delegates attending Indaba\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commenting on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) state of readiness to host the Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba 2023, Acting CEO of Tourism KZN, Mr Nhlanhla Khumalo said that \u201cKwaZulu-Natal has more than 20 years\u2019 experience in hosting Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba together with a number of world class events and we are confident that this year will be no different. The province has adequate accommodation establishments within a reasonable travel distance to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. With a number of airlines that fly directly to King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), domestic and international delegates should travel with ease to the province.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


He also reiterated that Tourism KZN is working very closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that delegates who will be attending Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba will be safe in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the launch event, there was a panel discussion focusing on the contribution of Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba to the tourism sector recovery. Various industry representatives highlighted the value of Indaba and extended an invite to both buyers and delegates to come to South Africa.  The panel included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n