Africa’s Travel Indaba Kicks Off with Fun, Fair and Expectations

The 2023 edition of the annual Africa’s Travel Indaba has kicked off with lots of fun, lots of fair, and lots of expectations. The famous travel and tourism show kicked off today, 9 May 2023 at the magnificent Durban International Convention Centre, Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.

The iconic international event which is being held under the theme 'Unlimited Africa', began with a colourful and a very inspiring opening ceremony attended by important dignitaries, including top government officials, Parliamentarians, Ambassadors, High Commissioners, members of the diplomatic community, conference delegates, as well as local and international media.

Warmly and formally welcoming delegates to the event, the Acting CEO of South African Tourism, Nomasonto Ndlovu, who doubled as the opening ceremony's Program Director, said that the theme of this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba speaks directly to the continent's potential which knows no bounds.

In her own speech, the Honourable Minister of Tourism of South Africa, Patricia de Lille, who was physically present, said that the 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba travel was to, among other things, honour the African people’s incredible ingenuity, fortitude, and magnificence as well as celebrate Africa, as Africans pull their efforts towards the recovery of the travel and tourism industry following the devastating COVID-19 Pandemic.

"Through concrete actions, not just words, we are here as Africans, at Africa’s Travel Indaba to work to reposition ourselves in the minds of international travellers. Our top-notch hospitality, favourable weather, and unique wildlife are just a few examples of what makes Africa an attractive tourism destination.

We are also here to recognise the value of visitors travelling to different parts of Africa and the world. We know that through tourism, we can help create cultural exchanges, promote understanding, and break down stereotypes. This can help to build bridges between different communities and contribute to the peaceful coexistence of different cultures and religions." Patricia de Lille said.

In many ways, the opening ceremony of this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba was very beautiful, very outstanding, and of course, African, with an intercontinental appeal. It witnessed the fusion, the integration, and the coming together of amazing cultures and traditions at the intersection between travel and tourism.

The scintillating welcome song as preformed by the charming choir exuded the popular and unique South African harmony which had the excited audience nodding in unison. Memory lanes were once again threaded and mixed emotions elicited as the dancers thrilled the audience with well choreographed dance steps while telling stories with folklore.

Africa’s Travel Indaba brings together a showcase of Southern African tourism products and services for the international travel trade. Attending the 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba are over 160 exhibitors from across the world, including 21 African countries. It is expected that businesses worth hundreds of millions of dollars will be closed at the 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba.

Exhibitors include hospitality and accommodation services providers, airlines, tour operators, game lodges, transporters, online travel agencies, luxury products, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), media publications and industry associations. Others are camping and safari companies, South African provincial tourism authorities, provincial products and different tourism authorities and Convention Bureaus from across the world.

Owned by South African Tourism and organised by Synergy Business Events (Pty) Ltd, the award-winning Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. The event showcases the widest variety of Africa's best tourism products and attracts international buyers and media from across the world.

The 2023 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba is holding from 9 May to 11 May, 2023. The Afritraveller promises to bring you daily updates. Stay tuned!