Visitors at this year’s Tourism Indaba will experience a very refreshing and innovative new approach to business in tourism.

In this highly competitive tourism environment, the aim of Indaba is to maintain its position as the premier travel show on the African continent. Indaba will be held over three days, guaranteeing a more compact and business focused Indaba and thereafter providing more leisure time for visitors to get to experience the city of Durban.

His Worship The Mayor of eThekwini, Cllr James Nxumalo, stated that the new strides that South African Tourism has taken to transform Indaba into a contemporary Pan African trade show and rebrand the show to be the face of Africa, will be a very rewarding dimension for the city of Durban and KwaZulu Natal.

“Opportunities will now be available for our product owners to do business with some of the top travel brands in Africa and deepen the relationships with Africa Trade partners. The significant tourism growth is evidence that Indaba will now present the best platform to unlock Africa’s tourism potential and tap into the record breaking inbound growth from Africa.” He said.

A live Panel Debate will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Monday 12 May 2014 with CNBC Africa and key stakeholders from Durban will further unpack Durban’s potential into Africa.

The Theme at this year’s Indaba focuses on the 20 years of Freedom Celebration and is very appropriate with the world honouring Nelson Mandela’s footprint.

Phillip Sithole, Head of Durban Tourism eagerly stated that “The city is very pleased that the Woza eNanda Heritage Route will be showcased at this year’s media excursion on Sunday 11 May 2014, whereby almost 150 national and international media, together with the world’s most prominent media bloggers will get a chance to delve into the rich heritage and culture of this historical route.

We are also expecting key trade from Durban’s core markets India, China, UK, Germany and Australia that will be given the opportunity to experience Durban and will be hosted on specialised tours and unique dining experiences.

Our key focus this year is on high engagement opportunities, business generation and ultimately a platform to showcase Durban to the world. We need Indaba to be work for our trade and every opportunity will be given to our SMME’s , Community Tourism Organisation (CTO’s) and mainstream trade to aggressively market their products and experiences, further more to better understand the international buyers needs and demands”, he concluded.

The socio-economic impact of the Direct and Indirect spending of the Indaba visitors alone is likely to exceed R144 million. When one adds to this the value of the spend on local infrastructure spent by exhibitors at the show, as well as the positive value of the extensive media coverage, the net effect of the Tourism Indaba on the local economy and future tourism is indeed significant. The Tourism Indaba remains a significant event on our business calendar in Durban, KZN and South Africa and the city of Durban has a contract to be host city till 2015.

The city of Durban also looks forward to showcasing the most gracious welcome to our visitors and hosting the sought after Welcome Beach Party on The Opening Night to almost 3500 visitors, with the Theme Ekasi Shisanyama. The Décor, entertainment and cuisine will all reflect the unique culture of Durban and the celebration of 20 years of Freedom.

Durban anxiously awaits a thriving Indaba 2014 with a difference and we want all our visitors to find the time to experience the rich culture, vibrant lifestyle and unique diversity of Durban. We urge all Durbanites to show our visitors that Durban lives up to its expectations of being the warmest place to be and the friendliest city in South Africa.

Issued by the Head of Communications, Ms Tozi Mthethwa.

For more information, contact Head of Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, Phillip Sithole on 0832888793 or email: sithole.phillip@durban.gov.za