Next year’s Tourism Indaba will be held from May 16-18 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa.
The date change followed feedback received from key exhibitors and industry captains on how Indaba could be enhanced, South African Tourism said in a statement.
Traditionally held over the Mother’s Day weekend, the trade show will now take place from Tuesday to Thursday following feedback received during consultations with industry, as well as the fact that “the international norm is that trade shows take place during the week,” SA Tourism said.
A few more changes to the show will be announced in due course, although plans are still under way. According to SA Tourism, these will include communication on enhanced hosted buyer programmes, as well as an events calendar tailored to allow time for exhibitors and buyers to do business and optimise networking opportunities.
“We have received many comments and suggestions from the trade on almost every aspect of Indaba and the changes to be implemented from next year onwards are a direct response to those,” says Acting Chief Executive Officer at South African Tourism, Sthembiso Dlamini.
“The aim is not only to make sure that Indaba remains as optimally beneficial as possible for the industry, but also that it continues to be the best business networking meeting for the exhibitors and for buyers who want to do business with our destination. We want to have as much industry participation as possible so that we can showcase the diversity and variety of both South Africa and the rest our continent’s offering,” Dlamini adds.