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A view of the ICC in Durban during Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban
Exhibitors from across the globe say they are excited and ready for the start of this year’s edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban.
Over 1 300 exhibitors are expected to participate in the three-day summit held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
Chris Mears from the United Kingdom is the director of African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA).
“We are the largest private sector exhibitor at the show and we are looking forward to the Indaba and its giving great opportunity for our over 800 members across the African continent to connect with quality buyers from around the world and enhancing profile of Africa.
ATTA has been exhibiting at the Indaba for over 20 years now and our presence is growing from two exhibitors up to 83 exhibitors on our stand alone. So, it’s a great opportunity for the industry and it doesn’t matter whether you are starting the tourism journey or you have been in tourism for many years.”
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Musa Zondi says they anticipate that the event will inject millions into the province’s GDP through short- and long-term partnerships.
“The most important aspect that needs to be discussed by the delegates is the issue of connectivity with Western countries and the African continent. For example, there are no direct flights from Europe to Africa because the industry has been dominated by Western countries for a long time. Another aspect is the artificial intelligence into the tourism but we are saying as Africans it should not happen at the expense of a human being, it should not displace people from work, so that is the core issue that we as Africans will be focusing.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille says that the under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’, South Africa’s G20 Tourism Working Group will position the country’s tourism industry on a global stage by also creating investment, enhancing air connectivity and developing inclusive and sustainable tourism policies across the world.
