Tourism KZN has been working around the clock with eThekwini Metro and law enforcement agencies to ensure that delegates attending Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) 2024 will be as safe as possible while doing business and visiting Durban and KwaZulu Natal.
Speaking at the unveiling of the TKZN stand on the official opening day of the trade show on May 14, TKZN Acting CEO Sibusiso Gumbi also highlighted the crucial role that ATI played in promoting the province’s destination value.
“Hosting an event like ATI enables us to position KZN as a global brand and a must-visit destination. Over the past few days, we have hosted a number of Buyers on Pre Tours so they can experience first-hand what we have to offer. They got to sample our tourism experiences, stay in our hotels, experience our cuisine and our people first hand. They get a realistic view of how easy it is to access our destination,” said Gumbi.
ATI also contributes towards employment and stimulating interest in tourist-related careers. For its part, TKZN has recruited 40 unemployed students and graduates as tourism ambassadors during the trade show.
The ambassadors are stationed at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC and the various hotels accommodating delegates, assisting with information and directions.
The trade show is expected to welcome 9 000 delegates from 25 countries, contributing R439 million (€22.2m) and creating 796 jobs.
On the opening day of the show, event organisers confirmed in a statement that 1 245 exhibitors were attending the show, exceeding the initial target of 1 100.
