INDABA 2014

In just under a few days, from 10 to 12 May 2014, Africa’s premier travel trade show, INDABA 2014, takes place at Durban’s Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. Already 298 main stand exhibitors have confirmed their places, among them international big-name brands and the cream of Africa’s leisure tourism products, services and experiences. Among the confirmed exhibitors are Tourvest; Mantis Management; Seasons in Africa; the Amalinda Collection; Singita; Shamwari Game Reserve; MalaMala; Legend Lodges, Hotels & Resorts; Zimbali; Tsogo Sun; Grootbos; Premier Hotels & Resorts; the Blue Train; Abercrombie & Kent; Private Safaris; Leading Hotels of the World; and Relais & Chateaux.

These exhibitors have vast global appeal in both developed markets such as the United States and Europe, and emerging markets such as Africa, Asia and Latin America.There is a large contingent of tourism products from Africa, with more than 20 African countries represented. To date there are confirmed exhibitors from Angola, Benin, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Reunion Island, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

  

Among the many prestigious African products from countries other than South Africa are: Under One Botswana Sky; Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel Resort (Botswana); Nesbitt Castle (Zimbabwe); Sol Resorts (Mozambique); Ichobezi River Lodges (Namibia); Great Plains Conservation (Kenya); Kijongo Bay Beach Resort (Tanzania); RwandAir; Safari 2 Gorilla Tours (Uganda); Eko Hotels & Suites (Nigeria); Moivaro Lodges & Tented Camps; and the Hemingways Collection (Kenya).

Thulani Nzima, South African Tourism CEO, said INDABA 2014 is the single biggest and best platform for doing business in African tourism. Between them, exhibitors include all the premier African safari destinations, among the most luxurious and desired five-star accommodation establishments, the most sensational and fascinating lifestyle and culture experiences on the continent, awesome adventure activities and destinations, and some of the world’s finest golf and sports destinations.

 

Exhibitors will showcase their offerings to the 1 441 confirmed top-quality travel and tourism buyers keen to capitalise on exceptional growing inbound tourism growth to Africa. 'It has never been more important to plug into Africa’s tourist trade. According to the latest United Nations World Tourism Organisation Tourism Barometer, Africa attracted three million additional arrivals, reaching a new record of 56-million in 2013,' said Nzima.

 

An exciting new addition to INDABA this year is the TechZone, which gives premium digital service providers to the tourism industry a space to meet buyers and exhibitors. Travelstart (South Africa’s leading online travel agency); WAYN.com (the world’s biggest travel and lifestyle social networking community website); TripAdvisor (the world’s biggest destination marketing organisation); Expedia (one of the world’s largest online travel booking agencies); Springnest (which offers simple web, mobile and social marketing for small tourism businesses); and NightsBridge (which offers the industry real-time software and marketing links) have so far confirmed their participation.