INDABA 2016 embraces new changes to boost Africa's tourism businesses

By Sebidde Kiryowa and Solomon Oleny in Durban, South Africa

Durban South Africa is on fire! Roughly 10,000 visitors and stakeholders at the forefront of tourism business from all-over the world have gathered in it for INDABA. Indaba is the premier African travel and tourism show, with exhibits from 18 countries on the continent this year.

As you arrive through King Shaka International Airport, as you drive along the streets of Durban, the placards and posters send one clear message: Indaba is here, stronger than ever!

Unlike preceding year's edition though, the three day event which will be crowned on Monday has been tailored to offer a bigger platform through which exhibitors and buyers, as well as media can network and find exciting new opportunities.

According to Sthembiso Dlamini, acting Chief Executive Director of South African Tourism, in response to the continued growth, most of these changes have been implemented to create more opportunities for buyers and exhibitors to engage efficiently.

For instance, the standard exhibitor briefing sessions will include educational sessions (trade show, including Readiness & Online Diary System) while registration for all areas will open at once, instead of the phased model of registration for different areas used previously.

"To ensure a more inclusive audience, the opening function format has been changed from a high-end stage production attended by stakeholders and international buyers to a 'bell-ringing' at the commencement of the show to pronounce the trade floor open." She says

Adding his voice to Dlamini's, South Africa's Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom has noted that all buyers will be afforded the opportunity of using a buyers' lounge. Additional networking opportunities and hospitality will be available in the form of coffee and food vouchers for all buyers, hosted and non-hosted.

"On the other hand, the technology themed Tech Talks and Trade Talks that are geared towards sharing market insights with the industry will feature more than one time slot.'' He notes

The repeated time slots will allow for more opportunities for exhibitors to attend the talks.

A New Products and Developments Zone will be introduced with the introduction of a table-top option, providing new participants a cost-effective manner to come on-board while tech exhibitors will be co-located within the ICC to improve proximity and access for trade exhibitors to tech products and knowledge transfer. The action adventure pavilion is also an exciting addition to this year's INDABA.

Last year, the show recorded an impressive 7 704 delegates, 1 595 of whom were international buyers representing 66 countries including amongst others: Brazil, China, Germany, India, Australia, New Zealand, Italy and Germany.

During the same event, Uganda won the best stand. It was represented by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Uganda Wildlife Authority and several tour privately owned tour companies.