By Jimoh Babatunde

The organisers of one of the top three trade shows globally, Africa’s Travel Indaba, ATI, said the event has significantly contributed to the economic vitality of Durban and the broader KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Africa’s Travel Indaba is managed by South African Tourism and in partnership with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, the eThekwini Municipality, and ICC Durban.

Nombulelo Guliwe, Acting Chief Executive Officer at South African Tourism, said the event is more than just a gathering; “it is a showcase of Africa’s diverse and dynamic tourism landscape, spotlighting the continent’s unique cultures, breath-taking destinations, and unparalleled hospitality.”

Guliwe indicated that Africa’s Travel Indaba has established itself not only as an event but as “a beacon for the tourism industry, continually driving innovation and connection across the continent and beyond.”

She reflects on the journey: “After hosting Africa’s Travel Indaba in 2023 with remarkable success, we are excited to continue this legacy with our dedicated partners. Their unwavering commitment has been a cornerstone of this Pan-African show’s enduring success.

“Many countries on the African continent have amazing offerings, and at ATI, we are looking forward to showcasing more of these beautiful destinations.”

Indaba 2023 was a hive of activity and engagement that successfully welcomed more than 8,600 delegates and facilitated an astounding 21,000 meetings between exhibitors and international buyers in 2023.

The exhibition showcased diversity and innovation, featuring 280 international buyers, 432 non-hosted international buyers, 41 local hosted buyers, 711 local non-hosted buyers and more than 1000 exhibiting companies who represented an array of products drawing attention from various corners of the globe.

She added that the anticipation for Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) 2024 has reached great heights as the event receives a positive response from the global travel industry.

“The organising team is delighted to announce that applications from both buyers and exhibitors have grown, setting the stage for an extraordinary gathering of tourism professionals. South African Tourism is once again reminding the industry that registration for the much-anticipated Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) 2024 is still open.“