The sparkle of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024

The recent Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024 which was held at Durban International Convention Centre brought in fresh excitement to the Tourism sector. Say less, the vibrancy of the event, the mood, the energy, the weather, the people, the stalls, the interactions just breathed new life to the tourism sector, making sure they exude their 2024 tagline, ‘Shaping Arica’s tomorrow, through connections today’.

According to Ms Phindile Makwakwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa is a global space player for Tourism, and knowing that the world was going to be watching, she said they rolled up their sleeves in making sure the whole Durban experience was up to par.

500 million GDP return

Who doesn’t want to hear about good returns- good money? Of course, nobody. This year’s Indaba brought in great returns which doesn’t put the province alone on the map, but extends to South Africa, and Africa as a whole. These returns showed that there is great room for growth for the continent. “Africa’s Travel Indaba serves as an opportunistic space for growth, for Africa as a whole to re-showcase themselves and their products in the market place,” said Nombulelo Guliwe, the CEO of SA Tourism.

Great weather

Never underestimate the power of good weather. A sunny day engraves warmness and good energy, and that was the order of the three days during Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024, we could even bask in the glistening not-so-harsh sun. We are so sure you would have loved it too.  According to Nombulelo Guliwe, the sun having been warm brought warm and vibrant energy and that’s what they wanted to see. She added that, from the touchdown in Durban to the last day, people felt the accommodative spirit and energy both from the people and the weather. The mood and vibrancy of the event was overall great.

Great Infrastructure and restaurants

One thing that will always support great infrastructure is safety and tidiness, and the organisers made sure that was a priority. That speaks volumes. We are also talking great buildings around Durban, the tall buildings, the architectural shapes, and in this case, we are talking about the space that also hosted Africa’s Travel Indaba- Durban International Convention Centre and how the stalls inside were best well kept. Design matters, and creativity and diversity were executed well with stalls, with that leading to the awards for best exhibitors. Talking of restaurants, people want to enjoy food in aesthetically pleasing spaces, and Durban offer a variety of that at best. South Africa stands on a good map with Durban hosting Indaba.

9% growth from last year

With 9280 registered delegates, an increase of 9% was incurred as opposed to 2023, showcasing the growth and the actual steadiness of Africa’s Travel Indaba. Between all byers and exhibitors, more than 24 000 meetings were held. Around 1 200 exhibitors displayed interesting African experiences in their own way, unboxed. Creativity was really at play.

The hotels & lodges

They were full and the city was in its upper vibrant mood, causing everything to turn on high energy. The organisers were ecstatic. Speaking of stalls, floating through some of the organizers (South Africa Tourism Grading Council) stall evoked peace and calmness and sparkles. We all know how Covid had lowered down the Tourism sector, shutting it all down at some point to a point where it seemed as if it wasn’t going to recover. Well, it is actually picking up and this event was evident of thus.

Well done South African Tourism and all the bid-partners, easily one of the best organized events South Africa has!

Images & featured image to be credited: SA Tourism