The 2024 Africa’s Travel Indaba is set to showcase the best of the continent’s travel experiences and honor Pan-African tourism. With over 990 exhibitors from 26 African nations and more than 1,000 buyers from 36 nations, the event is one of the top global travel and tourism trade exhibitions. It plays a vital role in the tourism sector and the wider economy, injecting R1.2 billion into the South African economy and generating or maintaining 2,295 jobs. This year’s theme, “Unlimited Africa,” aims to challenge dated perceptions of Africa and highlight the continent’s growth and boundless potential.
What is Africa’s Travel Indaba?
Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the top global travel and tourism trade exhibitions, bringing together over 990 exhibitors from 26 African nations and more than 1,000 buyers from 36 nations. The event features a variety of standout features, including a special educational day, quick-fire marketing sessions, an exclusive airline pavilion, a match-making diary, and the hidden gems pavilion, spotlighting 120 SMME’s from across the nation. It also plays a pivotal role in the tourism sector and the wider economy, injecting R1.2 billion into the South African economy and generating or maintaining 2,295 jobs.
The African continent, known for its rich and vibrant cultures, stunning landscapes, and exceptional hospitality, is preparing to host its top travel exhibition, Africa’s Travel Indaba. This event, guided by South African Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Fish Mahlalela, is on the horizon. Anticipation is rising as we gear up to gather at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and present Africa’s varied travel experiences.
An International Trade Show with a Deep African Pulse
If you’re new to the Travel Indaba, it ranks among the top four global travel and tourism trade exhibitions, reflecting its enormous scope and the significant benefits it offers to its participants. The Indaba, running from May 13th to 16th, provides a stage for creating contacts and building lasting business connections for both buyers and sellers.
The forthcoming edition will welcome 990 exhibitors from 26 African nations, including first-time participants Burkina Faso, Eritrea, and Guinea, and more than 1,000 buyers from 36 nations, solidifying its position as a truly international trade show.
The event boasts a range of standout features, such as a special educational day, quick-fire marketing sessions, an exclusive airline pavilion, a match-making diary, and the comeback of the hidden gems pavilion, spotlighting 120 SMME’s from across the nation.
Not merely a showcase for Africa’s leisure tourism, Africa’s Travel Indaba is a reflection of a continent diligently making strides. Given this year’s theme, “Unlimited Africa,” the Indaba aims to convey a tale of excellence, challenging dated perceptions of Africa as a “dark continent,” and instead, depicting a continent bursting with growth and boundless potential.
Commemorating Africa Month
Africa’s Travel Indaba takes place in May, coinciding with Africa Month, a period dedicated to honouring our African heritage and encouraging unity among the people of our continent. Africa Month, originating back to May 1963, when the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the forerunner to the African Union, was formed, stands as a symbol of our mutual dependence and interconnectedness as Africans.
Economic Influence and Advocacy
The significance of Africa’s Travel Indaba extends beyond its cultural essence. It plays a pivotal role in the tourism sector and the wider economy. The 2023 edition injected R1.2 billion into the South African economy and generated or maintained 2,295 jobs. Despite the economic downturn, there’s a strong belief that the 2024 chapter will equal or surpass these numbers.
Beyond its economic contribution, the Indaba promotes South Africa as a prime destination. Data from last year’s event demonstrated that 99% of attendees would likely recommend South Africa to friends, peers, or colleagues, underlining the trade show’s effectiveness in showcasing South Africa’s tourism attractions.
Highlighting Intracontinental Travel
The strength of intracontinental travel shines through in the Kenya-South Africa example. Arrivals from Kenya in 2023 saw a striking 99% surge compared to 2022, totaling 42,403. The success is credited to visa waivers and targeted destination marketing campaigns.
In the same vein, a number of new routes have been initiated in South Africa, including SAA’s Johannesburg to Sao Paolo and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire routes, and Airlink’s Mbombela to Johannesburg and Mozambique routes, among others.
The Impact of SMMEs on Tourism
Africa’s Travel Indaba serves not only as a platform for Africa’s tourism but also as a means to promote inclusivity within the tourism sector. By emphasising the impact of SMMEs, community empowerment, and economic sustainability, the event ensures that fresh and untapped experiences are fully showcased.
The Department of Tourism’s Market Access Support Programme (MASP) provides small businesses the opportunity to showcase their offerings at national and international tourism trade shows, exposing their products to a broader audience and driving sales. At this year’s Indaba, over 120 SMMEs will present their products and services.
Calling on Delegates and the Media
Delegates from around the world are warmly encouraged to attend the event. With an array of African tourism offerings and experiences poised and ready to be packaged, attendees will find a wide range of options to cater to their tastes and requirements.
For those who have not yet booked their place, this is a perfect chance to connect, engage, and form new alliances. The media is also called upon to contribute to the narrative of an unlimited Africa.
As we near the 2024 Travel Indaba, it’s evident that this event is more than just a trade show. It is a tribute to Africa’s resilience, growth, and untapped potential. Echoing the words of Mr. Fish Mahlalela, we urge everyone to seize this opportunity to explore our attractions and interact with our warm people to experience the exceptionalism of South Africa first-hand. This is our story, the story of an unlimited Africa.
What is Africa’s Travel Indaba?
Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the top global travel and tourism trade exhibitions, bringing together over 990 exhibitors from 26 African nations and more than 1,000 buyers from 36 nations. The event features a variety of standout features, including a special educational day, quick-fire marketing sessions, an exclusive airline pavilion, a match-making diary, and the hidden gems pavilion, spotlighting 120 SMME’s from across the nation. It also plays a pivotal role in the tourism sector and the wider economy, injecting R1.2 billion into the South African economy and generating or maintaining 2,295 jobs.
When is Africa’s Travel Indaba taking place?
The event is scheduled to take place from May 13th to 16th, 2024.
What is the theme of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024?
The theme for the 2024 Africa’s Travel Indaba is “Unlimited Africa,” which aims to challenge dated perceptions of Africa and highlight the continent’s growth and boundless potential.
What is Africa Month?
Africa Month is a period dedicated to honouring African heritage and encouraging unity among the people of the continent. It takes place in May, coinciding with Africa’s Travel Indaba.
How does Africa’s Travel Indaba impact the economy?
The event plays a pivotal role in the tourism sector and the wider economy, injecting R1.2 billion into the South African economy and generating or maintaining 2,295 jobs. Beyond its economic contribution, the Indaba promotes South Africa as a prime destination, with data from last year’s event demonstrating that 99% of attendees would likely recommend South Africa to friends, peers, or colleagues.
How does Africa’s Travel Indaba promote inclusivity within the tourism sector?
By emphasising the impact of SMMEs, community empowerment, and economic sustainability, Africa’s Travel Indaba ensures that fresh and untapped experiences are fully showcased. The Department of Tourism’s Market Access Support Programme (MASP) provides small businesses the opportunity to showcase their offerings at national and international tourism trade shows, exposing their products to a broader audience and driving sales. At this year’s Indaba, over 120 SMMEs will present their products and services.
