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Record-breaking year expected for tourism expo

9 Apr 2008

This year's Tourism Indaba, perhaps more than any other, is especially crucial for the industry and destination South Africa. This is because it's the Indaba at which many of the buying decisions for the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be made. And with two months to go, South African Tourism's annual premier travel show has already attracted roughly 14% more visitors to the show than last year.

The global travel and tourism trade has an approximate 18-month buying cycle. The buyers will be at Indaba 2008, – taking place in KwaZulu-Natal, 10 – 13 May 2008 – to do business; to invest in the best and most accessible of South African destination products; to find places to stay and things to do for the hundreds of thousands of football fans who will flock to South Africa in the 2010 to be a part of the first FIFA World Cup on this continent.

Overall number

The overall number of registered visitors is 3777, compared to 2007's 922. Both local and international media registrations have collectively gone up by 17% from 316 to 385.

Sindile Xulu, country manager, domestic at SA Tourism, says, "While registration to the show is still open, we already have an indication of the level of interest in the show with an increase of participants."

This is officially the biggest Indaba ever. Xulu says that these numbers further emphasise confidence by the world's travelers and travel trade in SA as a world-class value-for-money destination.

Especially encouraging is the notable increase of new international delegates to the show, which has grown by 19% from 1713 in 2007 to 2108.

Increased international buyers

Registrations received indicate that international buyers have increased by 38%, while local tourism trade is sitting at 392, a 26% increase from the 287 in 2007.

“Indaba gives local trade opportunities to market its products as well as participate in workshops and other activities on offer. We look forward to welcoming you in Durban on 10 May,” concludes Xulu.

For more information, go to www.indaba-southafrica.net.