The Top 10 Exhibition Stands at 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba

The 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba may have come and gone, but its beautiful memories will linger for a long time. With over 1,000 exhibitors who showcased an impressive array of products, the travel and tourism trade show was a beehive of activities.

From travel and hospitality companies, to tourism boards and everything in-between, the exhibition stands were all colourful and well-appointed. The Afritraveller's Chidozie Uzoezie attended the 3-day event, and these are his top 10 picks.

1. South African Tourism

Whether it is WTM London, ATM Dubai or ITB Berlin, South African Tourism always knows how to make a grand entrance and impress with elegant exhibition stands. The 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba wasn't different.

With bold and bright colours that made visitors fall in love at first sight, South African Tourism's stand drew attention and commanded admiration. The meeting stations smacked of perfection, while the ambience offered personalized attention to visitors. It was a tight race, as many stunning exhibition stands came to the party. However, South African Tourism's stand clinched the number one spot.

2. Emirates

When it comes to exhibitions and trade shows, Emirates is one of those airlines that effortlessly bring style and elegance to the global stage. The 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba was not an exception.

With a magnificent design, reflecting the signature colour palette of soft greys, cream, and champagne, Emirates exhibition stand was characterised by timeless elegance, and literally stood out from the crowd. Even if you didn't have a reason to stop by, the two charming cabin crew models were your excuse. You just couldn't resist it. For airplane freaks like me, the Emirates stand had us romancing with the beautiful Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft models.

3. South African Airways

Combining the famous South African hospitality and a high level of aesthetic appeal, South African Airways stand was a cinosure of the eyes. The stand's interior decoration was clean, cosy, and luxurious, making visitors feel like VIPs that they actually were.

The combination of a royal blue brand accent against an unblemished euro white backdrop and a cosy decor conspired to make South African Airways stand one of the most outstanding exhibition stands at the 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba. The best part is that they brought the Lounge to the occasion, and it felt really nice to lounge in it.

4. Sun International

Sun International is one of the most popular and largest African-owned hotel chains. And they brought their experience to their exhibition stand at the 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba. Although not structurally elaborate, Sun International's exhibition stand impressed visitors in more ways than one. In fact, the stand's beauty lay in its simplicity.

With minimalistic decor and mostly plain arrangements, the stand commanded a high level of attention. The well-illuminated stand had, with a bold accent, the popular Sun City and the beautiful Cape Town in the background, making it an irresistible eye catcher.

5. Qatar Airways

Not to be outdone, Qatar Airways was at the 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba, and it was obvious. With a simple but attractive design, Qatar Airways exhibition stand was one of the most visited stands at the trade show.

Not only that Qatar Airways brought the award-winning QSuite and a life-size prototype of a Formula One racing car along, Qatar Airways also came with warmth and kindness. And to make good things even better, visitors to the stand were allowed to experience the QSuite, only that it wasn't at 40,000 feet. In case you didn't know, QSuite is Qatar Airways game-changing business class cabin.

6. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

If you're hearing about Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for the first time, you're not alone. I also heard about them for the first time at the 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba. With a sleek design and a perfect combination of natural colours, the nature-inspired bushy stand was a meeting point of some sort.

To make the exciting stand even more exciting, they came with virtual tourism and a pleasant surprise - a seemingly live lion. Well, even if you had no reason to branch off to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's exhibition stand, the giant lion provided the perfect excuse. If you have some (fake) adrenaline, that is.

7. Durban Tourism

In South African parlance, Durban is known as the warmest place to be. Located on the bank of the Indian Ocean, Durban is the heartbeat of the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. It's warm, and that warmth found its way to the 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba.

Perhaps not the warmest in the strictest of senses, but with elegant design and ample space punctuated by floral pecks and artistic flares, the Durban Tourism's stand at the Africa's Travel Indaba, was definitely a warm place to be. The home-style arrangements of the meeting stations easily made visitors feel at home.

8. Legacy Hotels & Resorts

Among global hotel chains outside the southern Africa, Legacy Hotels & Resorts may not ring a bell, but their stand at the just concluded Africa's Travel Indaba stood out. With a modern, thought-provoking, and imposing logo against a mostly dark theme, Legacy Hotels & Resorts' exhibition stand commanded a lot of brand appeal.

The exhibition stand of the hotel chain which boasts some of the finest Hotels, Resorts and Lodges in Africa, brought simplicity and elegance to the travel show. The Legacy Hotels & Resorts stand wasn't structurally massive, but with some effort, it earned a spot in the top 10.

9. Zambia Tourism Agency

A surprise inclusion? Well, you might be right, if you think so. Not many people, including me, gave Zambia Tourism Agency even the remotest chance of making the list of the top 10 exhibition stands at the 2023 Africa's Travel Indaba. But they managed to pull off a huge surprise with an exhibition stand that exhibited minimalistic elegance.

With neatly laid out and well-appointed meeting stations as well as backdrops that showcased several tourist attractions, the Zambia Tourism Agency stand was characterised by intuitiveness and took visitors on a tour of Zambia.

10. South Africa North West Province

Bold and beautiful! That's how I would describe the exhibition stand of South Africa North West Province at the just concluded Africa's Travel Indaba. The stand brought the entire North West Province together under one roof.

The video and static background displays which dotted the entire walls of the stand took visitors on a virtual tour of the province, including the thrilling ziplining of Magalisgurg, the exhilarating safaris of Pilanesberg, and the breath-taking aerial cableway adventures of Hartbeespoort. The meeting stations had a pub-like set up, which made meetings impulsive.

Thanks for reading. Are you already looking forward to the 2024 edition of the Africa’s Travel Indaba? I am!