Milestone attendance by NMBT at Indaba

NELSON Mandela Bay Tourism this year celebrated 21 years of attending Indaba - one of the top must-visit tourism events of its kind.

Delegates from the organisation that attend the event in Durban from 11-14 May included Odwa Mtati (board chairman), Mandlakazi Skefile (CEO), Titus Chuene (marketing manager), Jonker Fourie (leisure tourism and events Coordinator) and Doné Louw (reservations and NMB Pass coordinator).

NMBT ideally positioned itself with a 42m² stand at the tourism show, said to be one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar.

NMBT chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile said four SMMEs shared the NMBT stand; they were Bhotani B&B in Fernglen, Emthunzini B&B from Motherwell, Ikhayalam Lodge & Tours in from Humewood and Lunga General Jazz Place from Zwide.

“Some of the main objectives that were achieved at this year’s Indaba included selling our new and upcoming products to trade with particular focus on the Nelson Mandela Bay Pass,” said Skefile.

Other main objectives included:

• Meeting with local and international tour operators to ensure NMB is included in their itineraries.
• Meeting with BRICS based media, tour operators and SAT representatives with the objective of understanding the market better in preparation of NMBT entering those markets.
• Using the opportunity to learn more about new trends in the tourism industry.
• Looking for online distribution channels for the NMB Tourism pass as well as other e-marketing opportunities.
• Re-affirm working relationship with SA National Parks.
• Create an affordable platform for our members and SMME’s to show case their products.
• Use the platform to increase our brand awareness equity in the industry
• Assist SMMEs with destination information during their strategic meetings and/or presentations to trade.

Skefile said a modern, cutting-edge Indaba 2013, which significantly enhanced networking connections to stimulate tourism trading between buyers and exhibitors, was the hallmark this year’s event, which was special because it was the 21st. Indaba attended by the NMBT - quite an achievement for any organisation.

As part of a pre-Indaba tour, a Brazilian journalist was hosted by NMBT in conjunction with South African Tourism. The tour included Jeffreys Bay and Tsitsikamma. Additional media engagements also included an interview by a journalist from the SA Conference Guide, a meeting with Getaway magazine editor as well as Indwe in-flight magazine to name but a few. Tour operators from BRICS countries were specifically targeted for meetings at Indaba.  NMBT also met with trade, tour operators, e-marketing representatives and international delegates from India, China, Russia and Brazil.

Local tour operators based in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and other parts of the country were also targeted.
Organisers of Indaba, while taking a practical technological leap, but still ensuring to stay true to the importance of personal interaction to grow South Africa’s tourism industry, was the standout theme of the four-day show which took place at the Durban International Convention Centre.

Indaba showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa's best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world, with over 13 000 delegates from the travel tourism and related industries such as Inbound Tour Operators, Foreign Travel Agents, and Airlines.

To quote the South African Minister of Tourism, Martinis van Schalkwyk when addressing delegates at the 2013 Indaba opening about the growing trade show, “It is time to modernise and expand Indaba. Our vision as Government and South African Tourism is that Indaba must be the platform for exhibitors and buyers, not only in and from South Africa, but for the whole of the African continent.” The quality of Indaba and the great potential of opportunities increase annually. As NMBT we encourage the rest of Nelson Mandela Bay and the Industry to join and share in our continuous efforts to market and grow economic opportunities for the industry and our destination. Perhaps participate to celebrate the power and the prospects of an industry that showcases our destination by joining us for Indaba 2014 – Do not miss the opportunities.