Africa Travel Indaba launches with high hopes and ambitious goals

THE Africa Travel Indaba, one of the continent's premier tourism showcases, kicked off on Tuesday in Durban.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Musa Zondi, said this year's Indaba boasted a record-breaking participation, with 1 200 exhibitors hailing from 26 African countries and 908 vetted international buyers representing 55 global markets. "More than 7 430 business-to-business meetings have already been set up and I am confident that this number has grown to date," Zondi said.

"One hundred and twenty small-and-medium tourism enterprises, including a dozen in our KwaZulu-Natal region, have been given the opportunity to showcase their products at this high-profile and vibrant event."

Zondi reiterated the significance of the event last year, which bolstered the region's economy by over R550 million comprising R226m in direct economic activity in Durban, and an additional R333m seen throughout KwaZulu-Natal.

He expressed optimism that this year’s gathering would either match or exceed this success, underlining the importance of tourism in driving economic growth.