South African Tourism and the good people of the ‘Rainbow Country’ are eagerly anticipating the upcoming Africa’s Travel Indaba, set to take place from May 9th to May 11th, 2023, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. This year’s edition of the annual continental tourism expo aims to accelerate and enhance the tourism sector recovery, bringing together Africa’s tourism products and experiences for direct engagement with global travel buyers and sellers.
The event, which attracts thousands of visitors annually, has a new theme this year; “Unlimited Africa” symbolizing that the African continent is open and ready to welcome visitors after the pandemic. This year’s ATI has a new face too, as Patricia de Lille, the new Minister of Tourism, South Africa, will open the event on May 9th, performing the opening ceremony for the first time in her role. This presents an opportunity for new engagement for visitors, trade associations, government agencies, travel buyers and sellers, and the media.
The expo has surpassed previous editions, attracting a record 160 first-time exhibitors, and this year’s show has also attracted more African countries, with just under 800 exhibitors from 18 African countries. With more exhibitors from Africa, this year’s event is set to witness more significant African participation.
Minister @PatriciaDeLille on Africa's Travel Indaba 2023#ATI2023 #TravelIndaba2023 #BetterAfricaBetterWorld #WeDoTourism @travel_indaba pic.twitter.com/vztqdUMk8a
— Dept of Tourism (@Tourism_gov_za) May 2, 2023ATI 2023 is set to unveil several new initiatives, including the launch of the global initiative on sustainable and responsible tourism by South African Tourism (SA Tourism) on May 10th. The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa will also launch the Basic Quality Verification Programme, a program that aims to help small tourism establishments in under-resourced areas to reach their full potential by giving unemployed youth access to training.
Each year, ATI highlights Africa as a must-visit destination. This year, it aims to champion the sustenance of the continent’s tourism sector recovery with insights from experts that will benefit industry stakeholders and businesses. Minister de Lille emphasized the role Africa’s Travel Indaba plays in contributing to Africa’s tourism sector recovery and growth post the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) on May 8th is a carefully curated selection of educational sessions, informative current trends, and topical issues being discussed with the business events industry in a meaningful way.
Visitors should expect to experience new things, make new contacts, seal new deals and network like never before at this year’s edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba. The event is undoubtedly set to be a significant boost to Africa’s tourism sector recovery and growth.
