The 2024 Edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba, which took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC), drew to a close on Thursday, the 16th of May 2024, recording more than eight million visitors both local and international to the port city.
The 3-day trade show provided a platform for businesses from around the world and African government counterparts to participate in showcasing Africa’s collective travel and tourism offerings, with the specific objective of creating market access for the country’s vast array of African leisure tourism offerings.
Delegates reflected positively upon their experience in the 2024 Edition, with the KwaZulu-Natal premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube adding that one of the key sub-sectors the province wants to focus on is Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) – which aim to bring professionals together, foster connections, promote new ideas and push growth.
Reflections from Businesses
Durban’s renowned Max’s Lifestyle Village that underscores township tourism on a global stage, tested their mobility to bring the overall ‘kasi’ experience in the bustling Durban. The South African had a conversation with the lifestyle restaurant’s CEO, Zinhle Mqadi.
Responding to what her reflections and experience at this year’s edition of ATI 2024 were, Mqadi said “we are always grateful for the platform by South African Tourism and its partners because as an establishment based in the township, this is exactly what we need for us to be able to promote ourselves not only on a local platform but internationally as well.”
She added that this year the restaurant decided to bring the shisanyama experience for travellers from all over the world to get an experience of the most spoken of restaurant from Durban’s township, Umlazi, even if they did not get to visit their premises during their visit in the city.
Max’s Lifestyle Village has diversified their offering and value proposition to stand out in the tourism sector and attract growth towards Umlazi tourism. Some of the new offers include a conference facility for corporate groups.
42 year-old Kenya Association of Tour operators led by Chief Executive, Fred Kaigua, said they were excited about enabling opportunities for their members. “For us as an association, we have the duty to create a platform for opportunities and play a role in securing good business for our members, and coming to Indaba was us fulfilling that duty,” said Kaigua.
African Relations
The Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Honourable Minister Mrs Jane Matty Mkhonta-Simelane met with South Africa’s Tourism minister, Patricia De Lille to strengthen relations between South Africa and the Kingdom, and said they are hoping to explore more collaborations with the South African government and other African governments to boost tourism in the African continent.
An iconic moment
During the Africa Travel Indaba 2024 week, International luxury brand, Roberto Cavalli, made its debut by opening its first flagship boutique in Africa at Oceans Mall Umhlanga, where guests were treated to a lavish red carpet entrance and an exclusive first look at the new store, showcasing bold patterns, luxurious fabrics, and daring styles.
Africa’s Travel Indaba delegates were welcomed to the coastal city at the $16 million MSC Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in the main port which was recently officially inaugurated by the country’s President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the start of South Africa’s 2023 cruise season.
