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Cape Town - Indaba takes place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, from May 9 to 11, 2015.
And without the exhibitors, there would be no trade show, says South African Tourism.
"There would be no growth in tourism n the continent, there would be no team spirit in tourism, there would be no reason for both international and local tourism buyers to attend."
Here's what a few of the exhibitors have to say about the event.
1.Antelope Park, Gweru, Zimbabwe
"Spread over a 3 000 acre expanse of open savannah grassland, Antelope Park is a truly unique game reserve and a haven of tranquillity set in the heart of Zimbabwe. Welcoming guests from far and wide they are reputed for offering the epitome of African hospitality and unbelievably unique experiences," says Carly Williams of Antelope Park.
“It is important for us to attend Indaba as it is an opportunity for us to engage with new leads and build existing relationships with members of the industry. The exposure allows us to keep up with trends in the industry which ensures that we keep up with the requirements of our customer base.”
2.Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris
Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris have been flying up and down the Magalies River valley and over the Magaliesberg Mountains and the Cradle of Humankind for many years. They offer magical hot air balloon flights to mark special occasions, corporate events or just if you want to tick if off your ‘bucket list’.
Sarah Bauling from Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris, “We have supported Indaba since its inception 27 years ago and it still proves to be a great platform for meeting key industry players. It offers an opportunity where we can network, meet new business potentials and solidify existing relationships. Indaba has kept up with industry trends such as their online diaries and networking events which we find very useful.”
3. The Blue Train (South Africa)
Hailed as one of the most luxurious rail experiences in the world, South Africa’s Blue Train is iconic and a highly desired tourist experience, especially in markets off the continent. The Blue Train has been exhibiting at Indaba for at least 15 years. Find out more by visiting the website:
Manager, Themba Masheula: “Indaba is Africa’s largest travel tradeshow, and is valuable for us as a marketing and networking platform. About 65 percent of our business comes from international markets, and INDABA offers direct access to these markets. It offers us an opportunity to meet with clients and increase our occupancy. We always get value and good business from Indaba.”
Based in the Chobe National Park, Ghoha Hills Savuti Lodge is an independently owned and run lodge, which combines perfectly with lodges in the Okavango Delta and lodges on the Chobe River to give guests amazing insight into the different ecosystems in Botswana.nGhoha Hills Savuti Lodge aims to provide discerning travellers to Botswana with a unique, first class safari experience in an eco-friendly and eco-sensitive environment.
Naushina Khan of Ghoha Hills resort: “Indaba gives us a great platform to showcase our products to an extensive local and international market. The networking tools provided and the contacts you make during INDABA stand us in good stead throughout the year.”
Groot Constantia is South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate, established in 1685 (330 years ago). As a national monument and heritage site, entry to the estate is free and it offers wine tasting, chocolate and wine pairing and cellar tours. There are two restaurants on-site as well as the Manor house museum and an Art Gallery, featuring some of South Africa’s finest artists.
Grant Newton, sales and marketing manager at Groot Constantia: “Indaba provides us with a platform that highlights Groot Constantia’s significance and offers a great networking opportunity. The introduction of the “roving pass” this year is a value add that’s been long overdue.”
With views of the Helderberg Mountains and False Bay, this beautiful 4-Star hotel is only a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport. It offers 198 bedrooms and has conference facilities of up to 1 500 delegates.
Kyle Helm, Sales Executive at the Lord Charles Hotel: “We view Indaba as a leisure orientated show and although leisure only represent 12% of our business it is important that we attend as the whole industry is represented at Indaba. Indaba offers us an opportunity to touch base with existing clients and network with key industry players. It also showcases what our competitors are up to and gives us an insight for new developments in the market.”
7. Moivaro Lodges and Tented Camps (Morocco, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania)
Moivaro offers luxury safari lodge experiences in Zimbabwe, Morocco, Tanzania and Kenya and has been exhibiting at Indaba for a decade. The group was founded in 1999 and operates 23 lodges and tented camps. Has been exhibiting at Indaba since the early 2000s.
Jans Budding, Marketing Manager at Moivaro Lodges and Tented Camps: “At Indaba we meet different people than those we meet when we exhibit at European travel fairs. This makes Indaba exceptionally useful for us. For us it really, really works as a sales and marketing platform. Travellers are far more comfortable going off the beaten track than they were a decade or two ago. They are used to travelling to exotic countries and it’s no longer a big step to travel to Africa. Indaba gives us access to the global industry that sells our continent.”
8. Nare Travel and Tours (Rustenburg)
Travel agent and tour operator, Nare, has been exhibiting at Indaba for seven years. Nare Travel and Tours offers a range of tours that focus on culture and heritage, safari and adventure and township and city experiences.
Tebogo Nare, Founder, Travel Director and General Manager: “Indaba has consistently given us great return of investment. We have gained great international exposure out of Indaba and we have concluded many deals. The Speed marketing sessions are especially useful for us. Because South African Tourism gives buyers peace of mind that exhibitors are genuine; deals are concluded more easily on this basis.” Contact them at 083 622 6971
9. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (Eastern Cape, South Africa)
A metropolitan destination marketing body that makes the city of Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas of the Eastern Cape accessible to tourists through the website. The organisation has been exhibiting at Indaba for 20 years.
Doné Louw, Coordinator – Visit and Reservations: “Indaba is one of three must attend tourism trade shows for us and the biggest in Africa. It’s especially valuable to have access, at INDABA, to quality buyers and tourism professionals who are invested in selling and marketing the entire African continent. Africa, as a whole, is a new target market for us at Nelson Mandela Bay and we look forward to working with operators from north of South Africa’s borders.”
10. Protea Hotels and African Pride Hotels (Continent-wide)
With 113 hotels in seven African countries, Protea and African Pride is one of the continent’s biggest accommodation establishment groups. Has been exhibiting at Indaba for more than 15 years.
Nicholas Barenblatt, Group Marketing Director: “With its natural beauty and varied cultures and scenery, tourism has the potential to become one of the biggest forex earners for the continent. Nations and regions should work together to market Africa to the world. Indaba is a great platform to maintain long standing relationships with overseas agents and showcase the industry leadership hospitality that Protea Hotels is known for whilst they are in our country. It provides a platform for hundreds of tourism exhibitors to collaborate and to meet the world’s premier travel and tourism buyers. It’s a must-do event for us.”
The world renowned Shamwari Group has been a pioneering leader in wildlife safaris, conservation and hospitality for over 20 years. The Group’s mantra is conserving a vanishing way of life and they strive to maintain not only a high standard of hospitality and service ethics, but also a superior safari and wilderness experience for their guests. The Shamwari Group consists of Shamwari Game Reserve, Eastern Cape; Sabona Wildlife Reserve, outside Cape Town and Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park.
Joe Cloete, Group General Manager: “Indaba provides us with a great platform to meet local and international representatives of the travel trade, as well as members of the public. It affords us an opportunity to update them on news, rates and projects.”
12. Shearwater (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)
Tour operator, offering the best and most adrenalin-fuelled adventure activities in this particularly beautiful part of Africa. Has been an Indaba exhibitor since the company was founded 32 years ago.
Trish Mambinge, General Manager: “Indaba is an important fixture on our marketing calendar. It provides a great platform for buyer-supplier networking opportunities; gives good opportunities to meet new business partners and maintain existing relationships; and offers formal networking events that add great value to our investment in marketing and sales.”
13. Sol Resorts, Vilanculos Mozambique
Based in the beautiful seaside resort of Vilanculos on the Mozambican mainland, the Sol Resorts stable consists of two luxury self-caring properties – Deacra Villas and Golden Sands apartments as well as a highly reputable boutique hotel – Casa Rex. They all offer guests a wide selection on activities ranging from scuba diving on our world famous reef to horse riding, bird watching and spa treatments.
Jayne Janetzky, sales and reservations at Sol Resorts: “Indaba offers us an opportunity to cement existing relationships with tour operators and agents as well as engaging with new contacts. This interaction is very important to perpetuate the synergy between us. Meeting the general public on the open day is also important to us”.
14. Tourvest Destination Management
Tourvest Destination Management (TDM) is a division of Tourvest Holdings Pty Ltd, which through its diversified portfolio of tourism businesses, is a dominant tourism group in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a company built on connections. Connections that add exceptional value. Connections that give you complete peace of mind. Connections that inspire and delight your customers. Connections that create unforgettable experiences. Experiences that connect your customers to nature, nations, family and friends.
Martin Wiest, CEO Tourvest Destination management: “Indaba allows us to network with existing and potential clients as well stakeholders from government, provinces and suppliers.”
15. Vineyard Hotel and Spa (Newlands, Cape Town)
One of Cape Town’s iconic establishments, The Vineyard is centrally situated in Cape Town and offers 207 rooms. It’s one of the city’s finest venues for conferences, wonderful weddings and special occasions. Steeped in history, it opened its doors as a hotel in 1894, about a century after it was built. The Vineyard has been exhibiting at Indaba form more than 15 years.
Karl Parkinson, Group Sales Manager: “Indaba does a lot of things right, and delivers good value. It gives us a place to catch up with our international clients, colleagues and peers. It’s Africa’s biggest travel trade show, making it inclusive and giving us great reach into international markets”
Wild Zambezi is a network of Zimbabwe-based tourism operators located within the wild areas of the Zambezi River. They promote tourism to these unspoilt areas online, and provide up-to-date, unbiased travel listings of the accommodation, activities and services available.
Sally Wynn, Director at Wild Zambezi: “Indaba is an important event for us as it provides comprehensive interaction between international and regional tourism professionals interested in travel opportunities in the Southern Africa region. Face-to-face meetings with industry representatives from all over the world, gives us a platform to explain the real facts about travel to our country.”
