“It is a particularly gratifying that many of the SMMEs conducted business at the event. This platform has provided the SMMEs with a window into the international arena while providing South Africa with a broader tourism offering,” she says.
SA Tourism support of SMMEs will continue beyond Indaba. “Through initiatives such as assisting SMMEs to be graded through the Grading Council, we can ensure they are market ready. This is important as SMMEs are what will make domestic tourism affordable for South Africans, thereby growing this important sector of the tourism market,” she adds.
With the theme of “Putting you at the centre of business success” this year’s Indaba welcomed 5,013 visitors, and while this is slightly down on last year’s number (by 203) the event utilised 96% of the Durban ICC’s space and 3,000 more meetings were conducted than last year.
This shows the high quality of Indaba says Dlamini. “In a time when we have to acknowledge economic conditions, Indaba is delivering quality buyers to our exhibitors, and Indaba is all about business.”
Apart from the Hidden Gems platform, also new this year was the opening of the trade floor with a symbolic ribbon cutting by the South African Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom. This was followed by an official welcome by the Minister and the bid partners. Over the three days of Indaba, a number of Media and Tech Talks were held as well Speed Marketing sessions.
Ndabo Khoza, CEO for KwaZulu-Natal, Tourism, says there needs to be a greater appreciation of tourism by everyone in the country. “People need to realise that tourism is everyone’s business. It is important to view Indaba not only in the value it brings over the three days it runs, but also in the longer term business it brings to the City, province and country.”
Dlamini also announced that the final negotiations are underway for a strategic partner to be brought onboard by SA Tourism and that an announcement in their regard will be made in due course.
Lindiwe Rakharebe, CEO, Durban ICC says it is always an honour and privilege to host Indaba. Phillip Sithole, Durban Tourism Head adds to this saying that as a platform Indaba gives the City big numbers. “Judging from what we have observed over the last three days, we are very happy. As the City of Durban we invest heavily in Indaba, so we await the announcement of SA Tourism’s strategic partner eagerly and we hope that we will be a part of that.”
