Durban - Travel trade delegates have begun arriving in Durban for Africa’s Travel Indaba.
Most arrived at King Shaka International Airport on Monday and are excited to be part of Africa’s Travel Indaba which has not been held in the past two years due to the Covid pandemic.
Indaba is Africa’s biggest tourism trade show where African countries showcase their destinations to global tourism buyers and it is estimated that this year’s Indaba will generate R72.5 million for the local economy.
On Tuesday, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Ravi Pillay will give a keynote address to get international buyers to start packaging and selling KwaZulu-Natal.
“We will use this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba to showcase some of the new tourism products and attractions we have and those still in the pipeline. Our tourism trade will also get an opportunity to reintroduce their business to international buyers. The tourism sector has been hard at work for the past two years ensuring that KZN is ready to welcome international tourists back to the province with all the new health and safety protocols that we all now need to adhere to,” said Pillay.
The MEC said that Tourism KwaZulu-Natal was pulling out all stops to ensure that international buyers get to see some of the new and exciting tourism products on offer through post tours.
“Tourism KZN wants delegates to leave KZN knowing that the province boasts an over-abundance of tourism products and services, and we want to entrench confidence in buyers that KZN is the must-visit destination in South Africa. We will confidently demonstrate to exhibitors, buyers, and the international market that KZN is open for business, and there are world-class tourism experiences and events to experience, in line with the national Covid-19 safety protocols,” added Pillay.
He said Travel Indaba has created an opportunity for the unemployed, as a total of 20 unemployed youth will be employed for the duration of Indaba to assist delegates at key tourism spots within the city of Durban.
Daily News