Taking place, from the 8th to 11th of May in the City of EThekwini in the Province Kwa Zulu-Natal at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, Africa's Travel Indaba is less than twenty days away and as suggested by the packed calendar of events, this year the show is set to provide great value for all delegates including buyers, exhibitors, media and all stakeholders alike.
Africa's Travel Indaba brings together tourism stakeholders from across the African continent to promote diverse tourism products and experiences. In doing so, all exhibitors contribute to showcasing that Africa is a vibrant region that is geared up to cater to various traveller needs.
With a huge target to return to Pre COVID-19 attendance and participation numbers and to contribute to driving sustainable economic growth and development, this year's Africa's Travel Indaba, is really the platform for showcasing new ideas and innovations and for connecting businesses with potential partners and investors. Similarly, through the various sessions that happen throughout the show, Africa's Travel Indaba offers training and support programmes, therefore unlocking the full potential of the tourism sector.
Over and above all the business negotiations and deals clinched, delegates attending Africa's Travel Indaba will also get to experience a wide range of authentic African cuisine, whilst attending various networking events during the trade show. Hosted buyers and media will experience more than just the corridors of the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, they will get to explore the City of EThekwini as well as the greater KwaZulu-Natal Province and other parts of South Africa on pre and post-familiarisation trips.
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, The Dome
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.
Media who wish to register to attend and cover the event, can register on the link below: https://indaba-southafrica.net/media/register/