Latest news with #TravelIndaba
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South African Tourism celebrates economic Impact of Africa's Travel Indaba 2025
SA Tourism said that the projected economic benefits spurred by Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, from event infrastructure and logistics to accommodation, restaurants, and local transport services, have been significant. Image: Tumi Pakkies/Independent Newspapers South African Tourism hails Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 held in Durban last week as a huge economic boost. SA Tourism said that the projected economic benefits spurred by Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, from event infrastructure and logistics to accommodation, restaurants, and local transport services, have been significant. 'The direct economic impact of Africa's Travel Indaba on Durban's GDP is estimated at R574-million, with direct spending totalling more than R232-million, highlighting the substantial economic benefits.' SA Tourism added that the event created over 2,000 jobs, particularly for the youth and local communities, with an anticipated household income contribution exceeding R140 million. 'Current figures (still to be audited) indicate that Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, themed 'Unlimited Africa', hosted more than 9,990 attendees, marking an impressive 7.7% increase compared to 9,280 delegates that attended in 2024, with over 24,500 quality meetings held.' SA Tourism said that 1,348 exhibitors and 1,037 buyers attended the event, with both exhibitor and international buyer numbers being the highest recorded in the past four years. 'A total of 27 African countries participated, including new entrants from Chad, St Helena, and Burkina Faso. Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 was officially opened by His Excellency Paul Mashatile, South Africa's Deputy President, and the Honourable Patricia de Lille, South Africa's Minister of Tourism.' SA Tourism said that Thembisile Sehloho, Chief Marketing Officer of South African Tourism, together with Sibusiso Gumbi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority; Winile Mntungwa, Deputy Head of Durban Tourism; and Sandile Makhanya, Acting Marketing & Communications Executive of Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC), addressed the media at the wrap-up of Africa Travel Indaba 2025 on 15 May. Sehloho said that they are exceptionally proud to have once again delivered the premier showcase of the African continent's diverse tourism products and experiences. 'This year, we cemented Africa's Travel Indaba's position as a proudly Pan African event with a notable increase in the number of African countries participating. This success is a direct result of powerful collaboration with all our partners. The significant enthusiasm and business conducted reflect the robust growth and immense potential of the African tourism sector under the banner of 'Unlimited Africa.'' Gumbi said that he welcomed the enduring partnership between South African Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority, the City of Durban, and the Durban ICC. 'I am pleased to say that KwaZulu-Natal has successfully hosted Africa's Travel Indaba again, achieving a record number of delegates, international buyers, and airlines this year. As Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Film Authority, we supported 26 emerging tourism businesses who exhibited at our stand and had the opportunity to network with buyers from across Africa.' Gumbi added that the authority signed key Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with eSwatini Tourism and Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area Joint Marketing Agreement. 'This is part of the organisation's programmes to grow the Africa market for KwaZulu-Natal. They also had key engagements with several strategic partners such as Club Med and some airlines that will help grow their footprint globally.' Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, reiterated the ambitious targets of the Department's five-year Tourism Growth Partnership Plan. 'These include growing total tourism employment from approximately 1.84 million jobs in 2024 to 2.5 million jobs, increasing domestic spend by 25%, growing tourism's GDP contribution from 8.8% in 2024 to10%, and welcoming an extra million international air arrivals annually.' Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his opening address of Africa Travel Indaba, highlighted the 'Unlimited Africa' theme as a bold declaration of Africa's promise. 'Travel and tourism contributed 6.8% to Africa's GDP in 2023, with projections indicating a rise to 10.4% by 2030, and for South Africa, tourism currently contributes 8.9% to GDP, supporting 1.68 million jobs, with an ambitious target to grow this to 2.2 million jobs by 2030.' BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Are more South Africans travelling again since the pandemic? Tips for travel agencies to stay ahead
Travellers now see that while information is available online, engaging with a travel agent is about getting expert insights. The global tourism sector, once one of the most dynamic industries, continues to grapple with the long-lasting impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although international and domestic travel have resumed, the industry is still striving to return to pre-pandemic levels of activity. To truly recover, a fundamental shift is required—not just in operations, but in how travel is marketed and experienced. Consumer behaviour has changed significantly, with travellers now prioritising flexibility, safety, and personalised experiences. As a result, traditional travel agencies and tourism bodies must rebrand and modernise their approach to align with the new expectations of a cautious and value-conscious customer base. Affordability has also become a major concern, particularly in South Africa, where many people are still recovering from the financial setbacks of the pandemic. Coupled with a sluggish economy, the high cost of travel is a major barrier preventing many from booking holidays. ALSO READ: Will more people travel this year compared to last? What keeps the tourism sector alive? Kele Lekalake, executive manager at Harvey World Travel (HWT) Southern Africa, told The Citizen that cross-selling and upselling become even more critical because a trip to London is not just a flight, a hotel, and a taxi; it's about what else you could do to explore your destination. 'We are seeing destinations that were not as popular becoming more so, like, for example, Vietnam, Türkiye, Morocco.' Lekalake said it is important for businesses to rebrand because consumer behaviours change; therefore, a rebranding helps to keep up with what is trending. Government role in the sector 'Small businesses require an opportunity to bid competitively for business, as they have the skill set and resources that are available in big companies. 'It is therefore important to allow them that opportunity, supporting their initiatives, such as the introduction of systems and technology that can better support your systems and improve cash flow management,' she added. Lekalake said that technology, as an enabler, and social media, as an influencer, are the new world in the industry. She said travellers now see that while information is available online, engaging with a travel agent is about getting expert insights. ALSO READ: How to boost hospitality profits this festive season Africa Travel Indaba 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 showcases the widest variety of Africa's best tourism products and attracts international buyers and media from across the world. Africa's Travel Indaba is owned by South African Tourism. This year, it took place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, from 12 to 15 May 2025. How Africa Indaba performed According to Thembisile Sehloho, chief marketing officer of South African Tourism, the projected economic benefits of Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, encompassing event infrastructure and logistics, as well as accommodation, restaurants, and local transport services, have been substantial. 'The direct economic impact of Africa's Travel Indaba on Durban's GDP is estimated at R574-million, with direct spending totalling more than R232-million, highlighting the substantial economic benefits. 'Additionally, the event created more than 2 000 jobs, particularly for the youth and local communities, with an anticipated household income contribution exceeding R140 million.' Hotel sector performance The latest available stats for the hotel sector show growth in its income levels for November 2024, which could suggest South Africans have recovered financially. While income levels are above those recorded before the Covid-19 lockdowns, it is worth noting that when adjusting for inflation, the 'real picture' is that the sector still has not fully recovered. John Loos, FNB's property strategist, says the higher single-digit growth, outpacing general inflation, is encouraging. NOW READ: Tourism department calls on SMMEs to apply for 'Market Access' programme amid global uncertainty
Time Out
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
New SAA routes for Cape Town... including Mauritius!
South African Airways plans to spread its wings with a clutch of new flights, including two exciting new routes out of Cape Town. Travel News by TNW is reporting that SAA's Chief Commercial Officer Tebogo Tsimane confirmed the new routes at the recent Travel Indaba held in Durban. The most exciting route on the horizon is a direct seasonal flight between Cape Town and Mauritius, set to launch in November 2025. Just in time for a summer escape, this new route offers a smoother way to reach the Indian Ocean island, without the usual Johannesburg layover. Air Mauritius already offers a direct service from Cape Town, and increased competition will hopefully see fares fall. Also, the scheduling of the Mauritius flight is a nightmare start to an island holiday: an 11:35pm departure from Cape Town, a night with little sleep, and an early morning – 6:40am – arrival at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Let's hope the SAA schedule is a little less brutal! Also on the cards is a direct Cape Town to Durban service, although no launch date has been confirmed yet. This route has been missing from SAA's schedule for years, and its return will make cross-country hops easier for both business and leisure travellers. Again, you could use FlySafair (their R11 sale was a massive hit!) or Airlink (check out their Gaborone flights too) right now, but more competition will mean more options, and hopefully cheaper flights. Cape Town isn't the only city receiving attention. Other updates include a new Johannesburg-George route launching in April 2026 and a Johannesburg-East London service still awaiting a launch date. Regionally, flights from Johannesburg to Gaborone, Botswana, are scheduled to start in October 2025. SAA is also polishing up its long-haul ambitions, with plans to restart intercontinental services to Mumbai, India, and to launch new flights to Guangzhou, China in 2026.
The South African
19-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
SAA to launch new domestic and regional routes
South African Airways (SAA) will be adding new routes starting this year, with several new domestic and regional services planned. According to Travel News , SAA's Chief Commercial Officer, Tebogo Tsimane, confirmed the airline's plans to expand routes at the recent Africa's Travel Indaba. Tsimane revealed that the airline would be adding services to the following destinations: SAA domestic services: Johannesburg-George, launching April 2026 Johannesburg-East London, launch date still to be confirmed Cape Town-Durban, launch date still to be confirmed SAA regional services Johannesburg-Gaborone, launching October 2025 Seasonal flights between Cape Town and Mauritius, launching November 2025 In other route-related news from SAA, the airline's initial plans to introduce flights to Mumbai, India has faced delays, due to ongoing challenges with aircraft availability. SAA had aimed to launch its Mumbai route in October this year. But, due to difficulties acquiring suitable aircraft, the timeline has been pushed back. SAA now aims to announce the Mumbai route and open it for sales by July this year, with flights expected to kick off 2026. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Travel Indaba sparks hope: exhibitors chart a bright future for African tourism
Set against the vibrant theme of "Unlimited Africa", this year's event transcended the confines of a traditional trade show and sparked an exhilarating exchange of ideas, partnerships, and a shared commitment to envisioning a prosperous tomorrow for African tourism. As Africa's premier tourism showcase, Travel Indaba, wrapped up, with exhibitors across the continent expressing a renewed sense of hope for the future of the region's tourism industry. Lee-Marque Jansen, representing Streamline Tourism Marketing and Events, highlighted the authenticity that exhibitors brought to the table. 'Instead of trying to push something down your throat, engagement was more impactful,' he said, pointing to the importance of meaningful conversations over mere product transactions. Jansen, who offers tours in the Tsitsikamma region, elaborated that he couldn't just promote canopy tours; he had to sell the broader allure of Tsitsikamma and the Garden Route, as operators sought comprehensive itineraries that showcased the region's richness. Onele Moloi, the managing director of Ubuhle Travel Group, emphasised the great strides that have been made towards inclusivity and diversity in the tourism sector. As a female entrepreneur navigating the industry, she acknowledged the unique challenges that come with this role. 'It's difficult, but in the past year, I've seen a change from when I began to where I am now,' Moloi noted. She praised platforms like the Indaba for providing vital information and networking opportunities that are crucial for those starting out. 'This opportunity has really grown me. I feel that from the time I arrived to now, I've grown immensely,' she added, crediting the event with boosting her confidence in her service offerings and helping her connect with peers who share her entrepreneurial journey.
