Africa’s Travel Indaba is the largest travel trade show on the continent, bringing together representatives from over 80 countries and, for the first time, 100 media delegates from North America. Overall registrations reached the 7,000 mark, which was a 4% increase from last year’s figures.
“Indaba’s goal is to create a platform that allows the world to do business with Africa and business is happening. We are therefore encouraged by the number of buyers and exhibitors who have come from various parts of the world. They are our valued partners, who assist us to package and sell Africa to the world,” says South African Tourism’s Chief Executive Officer, Sisa Ntshona.
A major highlight of this year’s Travel Indaba was honoring the late Nelson Mandela, who would be 100 years old this year. South Africa Tourism partnered with The Nelson Mandela Foundation to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s centenary with a specially designed Madiba Journey App that allows you to experience 100 locations around the country that defined Madiba’s life and legacy.
Mr. Ntshona explained during his welcome address, “Madiba was many things to many people, from father to president, and we continue to celebrate and experience the many facets of this global icon.”
All 100 experiences, attractions and destinations around South Africa have strong historical and social ties to Nelson Mandela’s life and help visitors experience the emotion and relevance of each location through audio, text and image galleries. The app also offers real-time weather information, distances and details of nearby attractions.
The destinations include Constitution Hill, Mandela House in Soweto, and his capture site in Howick. The App now makes it easy for travelers in South Africa to discover Mandela’s journey to freedom with built-in tools to organize, prepare, and learn more about the cultural landmarks.
Telling South African stories is in large part tied to Nelson Mandela’s life, and Africa’s Travel Indaba showcased how the global icon has sparked not only political but cultural and socio-economic changes in the country.
To learn more about Africa’s Travel Indaba 2018, visit: https://www.indaba-southafrica.co.za/
