Africa’s Travel Indaba 2024 kicks off in Durban

Africa's Travel Indaba

Cape Town – Over 120 small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are expected to participate in Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) 2024, a significant event for their marketing efforts.

Themed ‘Unlocking Opportunities’, the event, which is being held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is poised to connect the tourism industry with numerous prospects.

Anticipated to draw 9,000 delegates from over 25 countries, the indaba presents a vital platform for SMMEs, including 15 KwaZulu-Natal-based businesses supported by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal’s programme.

“These fledgling businesses exhibiting on the TKZN stand have an integral part to play in the growth and development of the tourism sector. SMMEs not only contribute to job creation but are important for bringing new products to market and creating jobs,” Acting CEO for Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN), Sibusiso Gumbi said.

Gumbi added: “In fact, small businesses account for more than 80% of the tourism industry as a whole.

“We want SMMEs to grow into substantial players in this critical sector of our economy. However, we know transformation will not occur spontaneously but requires deliberate and sustained effort from all stakeholders.

“For this reason, we have implemented various programmes to ensure that our SMMEs get the much-deserved and needed support. Enabling SMMEs to attend ATI is one of the ways in which we assist emerging tourism businesses,” Gumbi said.

Hosting the event is expected to substantially boost Durban’s economy, with projections of high hotel occupancy rates, significant spending, and job creation.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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