What’s new at Africa’s Travel Indaba
With barely a fortnight to the 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba, VoyagesAfriq takes a look at what the enhanced ATI will offer Africa’s travel trade and the sessions lined up to offer product knowledge of what is on offer in Africa.
As outlined by the minister of tourism at the media launch of the show last month, Africa’s Travel Indaba has a unique role at shoring up the local economy as well as bringing Africa together under one roof.
Minister de Lille highlighted the role Africa’s Travel Indaba plays in contributing to Africa’s tourism sector recovery and growth post the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now it is up to each and every one of us to play our part to re-ignite the AFRICAN economy. We win, when we ALL win! Africa’s Travel Indaba presents us with an opportunity to continue with the efforts we started last year when the sector met in person for the first time post the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Minister de Lille.
This year, Africa’s Travel Indaba returns under a new theme, ‘’Unlimited Africa! The continent is open for the world to come and discover, connect and grow.
At now just under 800 exhibitors from 18 African countries have already registered, with 160 of those being first-time exhibitors and
Africa’s Travel Indaba takes place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban from 9 to 11 May 2023, with Business Opportunity Networking Day on 8 May.
The 2023 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba brings together Africa’s tourism sector with the sole aim to fast track and grow the tourism sector recovery.
Indaba will once again bring together Africa’s tourism products and experiences to drive the continent’s tourism sector recovery and to highlight why Africa is a must-visit continent and the destination of choice
At the last edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba in 2022, the show attracted more 5 500 delegates from all over the world, with 634 exhibiting businesses from 19 countries on the continent, showcasing an array of travel and tourism offerings to regional and international buyers.
Here are some events to look forward to at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023.
Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay): Monday, 8 May 2023
09h00 to 13h00, Auditorium Hall 6 & South Foyer, ICC
Africa’s Travel Indaba Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) is a carefully curated selection of educational sessions, informative current trends as well as topical issues being discussed with the business events industry in a meaningful way. The aim is to empower businesses with the latest in global business event developments and encourage robust conversations toward innovative solutions. Key topics to be discussed include:
Official Trade Show Floor Opening Events: Tuesday, 9 May 2023
09h00 to 10h30, Hall 6 Auditorium
This is the official ceremonial opening of Africa’s Travel Indaba. It is also the official welcome event to the City of Ethekwini and the province of Kwa Zulu-Natal. This is open to all stakeholders including bid parties, exhibitors, media and trade partners, VIPs as well as dignitaries from the rest of the African continent. For the first time in her role as Minister of Tourism, Honourable Patricia de Lille will give the keynote address at this event.
Speed marketing sessions: 9, 10 and 11 May, Room 21
A signature event at Africa’s Travel Indaba, the speed marketing sessions, are fast-paced networking sessions where exhibitors get a limited time to showcase their products and services to a selection of buyers. These sessions are packed with a wide range of products, establishments, experiences, and activities that cater to different traveller interests and needs. During these sessions and within a short space of time, exhibitors have the opportunity to make a strong impression and potentially secure new business deals. This year’s sessions will focus on experiences that offer township and nightlife; scenic beauty; wildlife and safari.
Global Media Face Off, Tuesday, 9 May at 12h00,
This is a compelling editorial session focusing on global tourism as the industry collaborates towards sector recovery. Moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest. This session focuses on air access (airlift), immigration policies and regulations as well as tourism travel trends and developments.
Thought leadership sessions: Media Centre
Tuesday, 9 May: 12h00 to 12h30 & 12h30 to 13h00
Wednesday, 10 May: 12h30 to 13h00
Thursday 11 May: 11h00 to 11h30
These sessions showcase a variety of field experts in a bid to enhance the knowledge economy.
Connections Sessions:
Wednesday, 10 May: 09h30 to 10h30: Media Centre
Wednesday, 10 May: 11h00 to 12h00: Media Centre
Thursday, 11 May: 10h00 to 11h00: Media Centre
There are several “connection” sessions planned throughout the show to unpack issues and opportunities affecting the continent’s tourism sector. These connection sessions provide media as well as trade partners with relevant and insightful information as well as updates on the latest developments.
Wednesday, 10 May: 09h30 to 10h30: Media Centre: Film and Art to promote destination Africa
The session will focus on the role that film plays in not only telling the history of the country but showcasing the destination too.
Wednesday, 10 May: 11h00 to 12h00: Media Centre: 100 Sustainable Stories
This is in line with the focus on sustainability that will take place at the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) stand during Africa’s Travel Indaba. South African Tourism (SA Tourism), will during this session, announce a global initiative that the organization has embarked on, in order to promote South Africa’s sustainable and responsible tourism offering.
Thursday, 11 May: 10h00 to 11h00: Media Centre: Launch of the KZN Basic Quality Verification Programme
TGCSA’s Basic Quality Verification Programme launches in Kwa Zulu-Natal (KZN) this May at Africa’s Travel Indaba, after a successful pilot project in the Eastern Cape. The programme helps small tourism establishments in under-resourced areas reach their full potential by giving unemployed youth access to training. During this session, an announcement on new quality-verified tourism products in KZN will be made showcasing the wide variety of products South Africa has to offer.
Thursday, 11 May: 12h00 to 13h00: Media Centre: Bid Party Wrap Up
This is the final editorial media briefing marking the conclusion of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023. Led by the various bid party leaders from the Tourism Kwa Zulu-Natal, City of EThekwini, South African Tourism as well as Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, this session provides media with key highlights from the 2023 edition of Africa’s Travel.
Africa’s Travel Indaba is a must-attend event for tourism sector players.
