It’s all systems go as KZN gears up for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022
KWAZULU-NATAL is ready to host 4 000 delegates expected to arrive in Durban for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022.
The MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs, Ravi Pillay briefed the KZN Executive Council last week on the city and the province’s readiness to welcome tourism buyers, exhibitors and stakeholders in the tourism value chain, where KZN will have an opportunity to showcase a myriad of tourism offerings in store for international visitors.
The indaba is Africa’s biggest tourism trade show, where African countries showcase their destinations to global tourism buyers. It is estimated that this year’s indaba will generate R72.5 million for the local economy.
“We will use this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba to showcase some of the new tourism products and attractions that we have, and those that are 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 in ensuring that KZN is ready to welcome international tourists, and with all the new health and safety protocols that we all now need to adhere to.
“KZN is fully open for business and we cannot wait to get international tourists back in numbers. We have been hard at work implementing the Tourism Recovery Plan soon after Covid-19 hit in 2020. While our focus has been on domestic visitors in the past two years, we are ensuring that the international destination marketing is enhanced as the world reopens,” added Pillay.
Pillay added that Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) was pulling out all the stops to ensure that international buyers get to see some of the new and exciting tourism products on offer through post tours.
The trade show will also promote and market the province’s business events hosting capability, while simultaneously showcasing KZN’s leisure tourism products and experiences.
Earlier today (Tuesday), TKZN and Durban Tourism hosted a Business Breakfast where the MEC highlighted key tourism developments that are in the pipeline for KZN.
“I am confident that buyers, as well as our key tourism stakeholders, will be excited to see that KZN is still a must-visit destination that continues to package and sell to its customers back home.
“Tourism KZN wants delegates to leave KZN knowing that the province boasts an abundance of tourism products and services. We want to entrench confidence to buyers that KZN is a 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, in line with the national Covid-19 safety protocols.”
The KZN stand at the indaba will include small tour operators and product owners, and 20 unemployed youth will be employed for the duration of the indaba to assist delegates at key tourism spots within the city of Durban.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will be showcasing its eco-tourism products and adventure tourism offerings, while the KZN Sharks Board will showcase its bather protection techniques which are globally recognised as among the most competent.
Small players in the tourism industry will rub shoulders with the big guns, when TKZN gives nine SMMEs a life-changing opportunity to showcase their offerings at the indaba.
Some of the SMME’s products and services that buyers can survey include the likes of Newcastle Pleasure Guest House, Mt View Lodge, Olungawelwa Tours & Excursions, Amangonyama Tour Operator, Uvukolwethu Corporate Travel, Thokoza Adventures, Cynthias Hive Estate, Impilo Travel & Tours and Thembela Tours.
Seyms Brugger, sales and marketing manager for Babanango Game Reserve, said the game reserve is a true conservancy and one of the largest game relocation projects in Africa.
Babanango Game Reserve is situated in the Umfolozi Valley in Zululand and in partnership with communities and trusts, has rehabilitated land and is bringing back endemic animal species to an area that has not seen wildlife for many years.
“Communities benefit directly from leasing out their land and the game reserve will have the Big Five by the end of spring 2022, which will be one of the most exciting safari destinations in South Africa.
“It will be the first time for Babanango to exhibit at the Indaba and this platform will give us the opportunity to showcase a new brand and exciting projects to the world, and ultimately receive international business,” he said.