Indaba 2019 opens with over 1,000 exhibitors

South African Tourism is hosting the annual tourism marketing event, Africa’s Travel Indaba, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa, from May 2-4, 2019. The event serves as one of the largest platforms for Africa’s tourism industry to showcase the extensiveness of its products to an international market. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Derek Hanekom, Minister, Tourism, Government of South Africa, said, “Africa’s Travel Indaba has become synonymous with storytelling. This continent is teeming with stories and folklore which are woven into all the products and experiences that are showcased here. In 2018, Africa reached 67 million international tourist arrivals, a growth of 7% over 2017. This represents 5% of all global international arrivals, up nearly 14 mn from the low of 2015. On the African continent, we have grown at an average of 8% for three years in a row.” The Minister also shared that UNWTO predicts that 1.8 billion people will be travelling globally by 2030, and that Africa will increase its share from the current 5% to 7% of all global arrivals.

While buyers at Indaba include tour operators, online booking companies and DMCs from across the world, the exhibitor profile includes provincial authorities, tour operators, game lodges, luxury products, etc., from as many as 20 African nations. The India market continues to be a significant contributor to Africa’s, particularly South Africa’s, international tourist arrival numbers, and Indaba is seen as one of the most significant events to help strengthen this relationship even further.

Over 1,000 exhibitors are said to be participating in the continent’s annual tourism showcase. Last year, the event received delegates from 80 countries and participant numbers crossed the 7,000 mark.