With just over a week to go before Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022 is held in Durban – at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre from May 2 to 5 – after a two-year absence, over 400 exhibitors will use this platform to sign new business deals and kickstart their growth post-COVID-19.
According to South African Tourism, to date there are over 400 African exhibitors and 454 buyers from 47 countries around the world confirmed to attend. Countries include South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Carla Antoniazzi, Co-Founder of hospitality sales and marketing representation group, Unlimited Destinations – which has had a presence at Indaba for 25 years – pointed out that returning to Indaba meant the company could once again connect with key partners and create business opportunities.
“It is wonderful for everyone to meet under one roof, not only to connect with the buyers but also to catch up with our fellow colleagues from all over the world. Indaba is a wonderful show with lots of energy. It is a fantastic place to enthusiastically network and work towards kick-starting tourism again.”
Unlimited Destinations has had to adapt to survive a lull in business during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Antoniazzi explained: “Instead of doing sales on the road, we threw ourselves into using technology and went head-on with virtual platforms and we connected with similar-minded colleagues by partnering in joint virtual workshops, which assisted us in keeping connected with the trade and new markets that opened for us.
“Fortunately, with technology, we have managed to grow our international client base and enrich our relationships with our regional and local partners. Now, with Indaba back, we can finally meet face-to-face, which will enhance our relationships even further.”
Antoniazzi expects to see more products geared to responsible and sustainable tourism at this year’s event.
CEO of the Eswatini Tourism Authority, Linda Nxumalo, was equally upbeat about attending Indaba this year, noting that it would be the tourism authority’s 18th year of attending the travel trade show.
“Indaba has always been extremely valuable for us to attend, ensuring we meet the right international buyers to be able to successfully package our destination.” She added that this year’s event would be used as a catalyst for the country’s tourism recovery post-COVID.
Reconnecting and cementing relationships
Reconnecting and cementing relationships is what the Tourvest Destination Management team hope to get out of this year’s Indaba.
“One of the biggest drivers we have in tourism is our relationships with our partners. We have not been able to see our partners these last two years and it remains important for us to reconnect, to spend real time face to face, and to not only build on both past successes, but also the last two years’ challenges so we can move forward again,” Kira Brinkmann, Sales & Marketing Director at Sense of Africa, Rest of Africa, told Tourism Update.
“Whilst much of this is business, the reality is it’s about personal interaction so we can share ideas and opportunities – which is done best after meetings when we let our hair down and enjoy having social interaction. We look forward to seeing all our peers and friends to make up for lost time and see how we can create new travel experiences for travellers to enjoy.”
Collaboration among African states
Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs at the Ghana Tourism Authority, Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi, said unity among tourism role players in Africa was crucial to recovery and Indaba, as Africa’s premier travel trade show, would provide the stage for that.
“Collaboration enforces our resolve as Africans to unite towards socio-economic and political growth in terms of our tourism, health, aviation, finance, security and a host of others.”
Ghana Tourism Authority was the country’s official tourism regulator and would be promoting the country’s destinations at Indaba, said Kusi.
He added that only Africans could give a true account of the continent. “It is important for Africa to tell its own story. No one can tell their story better than those of us who have lived it and continue to live with it. The story of Africa can be told in terms of our heritage and resources, our culture and traditions, as well as our values and customs as a people.”
The four-day event will open with Business Opportunities Networking Day (BONDay) followed by three exhibition days. Panel discussions will cover topics that impact Africa’s tourism sector, ranging from the future of travel in the pandemic era to mobility on the continent.
