Durban to flex its tourism muscles as current Africa's Travel Indaba contract reaches a conclusion
Image: Picture: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers
The vibrant city of Durban has once again welcomed delegates from across the continent as Africa's Travel Indaba officially commenced at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).
This year's event was graced by high-profile dignitaries, including the Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli and the KZN MEC for Economic Development.
They were joined by Tourism and Environmental Affairs Reverend Musa Zondi, Durban Mayor Cyril Xaba, and South African Tourism CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe, who all converged to highlight the importance of tourism in driving economic growth.
Durban has hosted the Indaba, South African Tourism's flagship annual event, for over three decades, solidifying its position as a key player in the continent's tourism landscape.
With the current contract to host the Indaba concluding this year, the city is keen to demonstrate its value as a dynamic investment hub ready for business.
Addressing delegates, Xaba declared: 'Durban is more than just a destination; it is a gateway.'
He added that this year, they are projecting significant achievements, with expectations to exceed last year's figures by welcoming over 9,600 delegates and generating approximately R232 million in direct spend, injecting an anticipated R575 million into Durban's local economy.
'These numbers are not mere statistics,' Xaba emphasised. 'They are a powerful endorsement of tourism as a key driver for economic transformation in the city and the province.'
This year's event is themed 'Unlimited Africa", where the focus extends beyond tourism to encompass the intertwining of culture, commerce, and community.
Reverend Zondi reaffirmed the province's commitment to positioning the Indaba as a permanent fixture within its borders.
'We remain hopeful and committed to ensuring that Africa's Travel Indaba becomes a signature event on the international tourism calendar,' he noted.
Tourism is not just a buzzword - it stands as a cornerstone of South Africa's economy and plays a vital role in national and provincial development strategies.
KwaZulu-Natal's strategic coastal location enhances its tourism potential, making the province a frontrunner in marine and coastal tourism, heritage routes, and blue economy innovations.
Ntuli also took the platform to express pride in hosting the event.
He emphasised Durban's pivotal role in global tourism, highlighting that in 2024, KZN welcomed 3.2 million domestic visitors and 620,000 international guests, generating over R2 billion in revenue.
'This didn't happen by chance. It was the result of sustained effort: in infrastructure, in marketing, in partnerships,' said Ntuli.
Durban is bidding for a further five-year term to host Africa's Travel Indaba.
The city and its leaders are lobbying earnestly to establish it as the permanent home for this prestigious event, underscoring the critical need to promote and showcase the continent's diverse tourism offerings.
In a landscape where tourism can be a transformative force, Africa's Travel Indaba serves as a pivotal platform to unite stakeholders and innovate.
As delegates share ideas and forge partnerships, the prospects for African tourism shine brighter than ever, setting the stage for an era of growth and opportunity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
3 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Here are economic and geopolitical factors to affect SMEs
SMEs will receive useful guidance from the economic indicators set to be released during August. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should brace for impact as some economic and geopolitical factors will lead to unfavourable outcomes, while some will offer relief. As things stand, a 30% US tariff will be implemented on 7 August 2025 on exports, which is not very good news for businesses. But on the brighter side, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to cut interest rates, which can offer some relief to small businesses. Tariffs Miguel da Silva, Group Executive: Business Banking at TymeBank, said that with the upcoming implementation of the US tariffs, the South African government is making plans on how to mitigate the fallout. 'The South African Government has 'pulled out all the stops' during a flurry of trade delegations and counteroffers but is now making arrangements to deal with the expected fallout, including the establishment of an export-support desk that will provide updates and advisory services to exporters, and a rumoured package of Treasury-backed incentives for some affected sectors.' He, however, notes that the tariffs that matter are subject to change. In April, the Trump administration announced a 31% tariff on South Africa, which was then suddenly dropped to 10%. ALSO READ: US tariff of 30%: Rand weakest in 3 months, thousands of jobs in danger Sarb cuts interest rate The Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced a 25-basis-point lowering of the interest rate on 31 July, and that the Sarb would be revising its inflation target to 3% from its previous 3–6% range. 'The revised target makes it unlikely that we will see any more interest-rate cuts this year, meaning borrowing will remain more expensive than many households and businesses might have hoped. 'Kganyago emphasised that the SARB expected the new target to enhance credibility with global investors, making borrowing for the state less expensive, and protect the rand (which has fallen to a several-month low nonetheless).' The release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation data from Statistics South Africa will give SMEs some guidance on input-cost planning in this tightening market. Uncertainty on business conditions He highlighted that SMEs will receive useful guidance from the economic indicators set to be released during August. The S&P Global South Africa PMI serves as a single-figure snapshot of operating conditions in the private-sector economy. While the recent Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) performance showed improvement to 50.8 in July 2025, marking the first growth since November 2024, and indicating the fastest business activity expansion in four years. 'The Bureau for Economic Research conducts its quarterly business confidence survey in mid-August, with questionnaires distributed to manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and construction sectors. 'Results, typically published in early September, will influence Q4 2025 business planning. Current confidence levels fell to 40 points in Q2 2025 from 45 points in Q1, remaining below the long-term average of 43 points, suggesting cautious SME sentiment, and who's to blame them.' ALSO READ: SMEs need to brace for reduced orders due to a 30% US tariff Global SME Ministerial Meeting Deputy President Paul Mashatile emphasised the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement to the continent's entrepreneurial landscape during the Global SME Ministerial Meeting on 24 July 2025 in Boksburg. The meeting had representatives and Ministers from more than 100 countries to address the issues hindering SMEs from reaching their full potential under the theme 'Navigating New Business Frontiers'. However, da Silva noted that Mashatile did not mention any concrete measures the government is taking to support SMEs, apart from the R100 Billion Transformation Fund touted by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau. GNU passes a national budget 'In some good news, the government of national unity (GNU) continues to make its way unsteadily forward, with the National Council of Provinces effectively passing the 2025 National Budget. 'All GNU partners approved the Appropriation Bill that allowed the budget process to be concluded. When tough conditions prompt pragmatic alignment amongst our political leaders, at least there's some room for optimism,' he added. NOW READ: Repo rate cut no help for consumers on brink of financial disaster
The Citizen
19 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Fuel price changing at midnight! Petrol is down but diesel spikes
Fuel price changing at midnight! Petrol is down but diesel spikes South African motorists are in for a mixed adjustment at the pumps this month, as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announces a decrease in petrol prices and LPG but a sharp increase in diesel and illuminating paraffin costs, effective from midnight today (August 5). Commenting on the development, Lebo Ramolahloane, National Vice Chairperson of the South African Petroleum Retailers Association (SAPRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), said the August adjustment brings temporary relief for private motorists but poses serious challenges for transport operators and other diesel-reliant sectors. ALSO READ: Diesel goes down, petrol goes up Fuel price adjustments (effective August 6): Petrol – retail price · 93 ULP & LRP: 28.00 c/litre decrease · 95 ULP & LRP: 28.00 c/litre decrease Diesel – wholesale price · 0.05% Sulphur: 65.00 c/litre increase · 0.005% Sulphur: 63.00 c/litre increase Illuminating paraffin · Wholesale: 32.00 c/litre increase · SMNRP: 43.00 c/litre increase LPG · Maximum retail price: 69.00 c/kg decrease Ramolahloane explains that the mixed movements are the result of lower international petrol prices and some currency strength, countered by tighter diesel supply and shifts in international refining margins. 'Diesel's steep increase is concerning, especially for the freight and agricultural sectors which are already under pressure. 'For petroleum retailers, these pricing dynamics continue to erode already thin margins and place pressure on operational sustainability,' he says. While the petrol decrease is welcome, Ramolahloane cautions that the unpredictability of global oil markets and exchange rate fluctuations continues to impact South Africa's fuel pricing month to month. 'We encourage motorists and businesses to stay informed and plan proactively as we navigate this volatile landscape,' he concludes. ALSO READ: Diesel users to pay more while petrol users will pay slightly less from midnight
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
South Africa emerges as a key player in cryptocurrency with Bitget's robust offerings
As cryptocurrency usage surges in Africa, South Africa is rising as a central hub for digital finance, exemplified by Bitget's entry into the market. As cryptocurrency adoption accelerates across Africa, South Africa is quickly becoming one of the continent's most active hubs for digital asset trading. With more than 40,000 users and an average monthly trading volume of 70 million USDT on the platform, Bitget is now emerging as a key player in the country's digital finance space. Bitget, one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchanges and Web3 companies, officially operates in South Africa through its locally regulated entity, Parsa Financial Services (Pty) Ltd (FSP No: 52563), authorised under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act. This ensures users in South Africa have access to a secure and regulated platform for digital asset services. A Comprehensive Financial Gateway: Crypto, Stocks, Derivatives & Cards Bitget's launch in South Africa isn't just about crypto trading. The platform introduces a full suite of financial offerings designed to give users the power to invest, trade, and spend with ease: Crypto & Futures Trading South African users can access a robust crypto trading experience across spot and derivatives markets, with a wide range of ZAR trading pairs and advanced trading tools. Bitget is widely recognised for its copy trading feature, allowing newcomers to replicate the strategies of top traders with one click. Xstocks – Tokenised Global Stocks Onchain In a bold step towards traditional finance integration, Bitget has launched Xstocks, allowing users to trade tokenised stocks like Apple, Tesla, and Amazon directly on-chain. This provides a seamless bridge between Web2 equities and the decentralised world of crypto – all with 24/7 access and no traditional brokerage middlemen. Learn more about Xstocks. ZAR Fiat Channel: Easy Deposits with Callpay To make onboarding easier, Bitget has integrated ZAR deposit services through Callpay. This allows users to fund their accounts in local currency with fast, reliable payment options. More on ZAR deposits. Crypto Cards for Everyday Spending With the Bitget Card, South African users can spend crypto like cash, both online and in-store. The card offers seamless conversion from digital assets to fiat at the point of sale, making everyday spending easier than ever. Leading in Transparency and Security Bitget's position as a top 3 global exchange in derivatives volume is further backed by its strong focus on transparency and compliance. According to a 2025 report co-published with Bitget consistently ranks among the most liquid and trusted platforms for altcoin derivatives. Read the full report. Moreover, Bitget is one of the few exchanges globally that maintains 100% Proof-of-Reserves. This means that every user's assets are fully backed and verifiable on-chain, giving customers peace of mind and ensuring Bitget never lends out or rehypothecates user funds. In addition, Bitget's Protection Fund is now valued at 742 million (as of Aug 4th 2025), designed to cover users against unexpected losses due to hacks or extreme market volatility. This fund is self-insured, independently managed, and regularly audited, demonstrating Bitget's long-term commitment to user safety and financial transparency. The Road Ahead in South Africa Bitget's commitment to South Africa goes beyond product offerings. With localised support, regulatory alignment, and tailored partnerships, Bitget is positioning itself to be the go-to crypto exchange for South African investors, traders, and innovators. With initiatives such as Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her, Bitget is investing in South Africa's youth through specialised education on blockchain and school sports sponsorships. As adoption grows and the lines between traditional finance and Web3 continue to blur, Bitget is here to help users across South Africa trade smarter, invest globally, and spend locally.
