Durban: The MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Ms Galebekwe Virginia Tlhapi led the North West Province delegation’s participation at a 3 day Africa Travel Indaba which took place from the 9th – 11th May 2023, at Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban under the theme “Shaping Africa’s tomorrow through connection today”.
Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the largest Tourism Marketing Events on the African calendar and one of the top three “must visit” events of its kind on the global calendar. It is an iconic African Leisure trade show, hosted annually by South African Tourism (SAT) with specific objective of creating market access for a vast range of African leisure tourism products.
Part of the MEC’s activities at the North West Provincial stand was to meet and greet tourism products owners/exhibitors with the view of knowing and understanding their business focuses in promoting tourism offerings which exists in the province.
The province afforded approximately 26 tourism enterprises an opportunity to showcase their products which range from women in tourism, tour operators, tour guides, luxury accommodation establishments to wildlife and adventure.
“I am pleased, that the province is participating in this Africa’s biggest tourism promotion platform, which creates market access for small businesses as well as big tourism players. This provides a much needed opportunity for our participants to interact and share ideas with their counterparts both from our country and the entire captive market. In my interaction with exhibitors I am convinced that the province showcased a good mix of tourism offerings which can position the North West Province as one of the preferred tourism destinations in South Africa,” said MEC Tlhapi.
At the official opening the Minister for Tourism: Patricia De Lille highlighted that as Africans, together we will craft a narrative that tells our story in our own words, sharing with the world the unique contributions we bring to the tourism community.
This year’s indaba sees more than 350 tourism products being showcased, 1000 buyers from across the tourism ecosystem and just under 1000 exhibitors.
Tourism Department supported 123 local inbound tourism enterprises through its market access support programme to showcase their products and services at the hidden gems pavilion during Africa Travel Indaba. “This investment will enable these small businesses to display their unique products and services, expand their networks and foster partnerships that will drive the growth and sustainability industry in South Africa,” said Minister De Lille.
The Africa’s Travel Indaba also saw the newly elected National Women in Tourism interim structure Chairperson, Ms Khosi Tyobeka addressing the Women in Tourism Breakfast session with the Minister of Tourism. Tyobeka is currently serving as Chairperson for the North West Women in Tourism and part of her responsibilities as the National Chairperson of the interim structure is to drive the team to ensure there is a formalised national body which will be comprised of nine (9) chapters across all the provinces. Part of their job is to develop a framework that will guide the work of provincial chapters and ensure a uniform approach in the implementation of the WiT programme that seeks to ensure that women are respected, recognized, represented, and rewarded accordingly in the sector, and identify mechanisms to address the barriers faced by women in the tourism sector.
Lastly, The North West Province also received a Silver Award in the category Large Stands Exhibitors. Categories were Small, Medium and Large Exhibitors Stands with Platinum as the highest award and followed by Gold. North West is the only Province in South Africa to have walked away with an award during this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba Award ceremony.
Ends.
Issued jointly by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism together with the North West Parks and Tourism Board.
For enquiries please contact:
Mr Jerry Matebesi (DEDECT Spokesperson)
072 333 0325
Email: JeremiahMatebesi@nwpg.gov.za
and / or
Ms Mamaki Phoolo (North West Parks and Tourism Board)
083 419 5974
ephoolo@nwtb.co.za
Twitter: @nwpg_dedect
Facebook: @nwdedect