The 2023 edition of Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba (ATI) started on Tuesday in Durban, South Africa, with delegates from 21 countries.<\/P>
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event with the theme, \u201cUnlimited Africa\u201d, was declared opened by Patricia De Lille, South African Minister of Tourism, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.<\/P>
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According to Lille, to reposition African travel and tourism market, Africans have to engage in healthy and balanced collaborations and competitions.<\/P>
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She said competition was often considered to be the life-blood of destination marketing and tourism.<\/P>
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\u201cWhile healthy competition can drive growth and innovation, unhealthy competition can lead to a race to the bottom, with businesses and destinations undercutting each other on price and quality.<\/P>
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\u201cAs the tourism industry, let us foster a culture of healthy competition, where businesses and destinations are encouraged to compete on quality and innovation.<\/P>
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\u201cLet us remember that long-term success in the industry depends not only on competing but also on recognising the value of collaboration and partnerships.<\/P>
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\u201cSo, each player in the value chain has a unique role to play, and by working together, we can create seamless and memorable travel experiences for visitors \u2013 that is the spirit of Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba,\u201d she said.<\/P>
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She said the 2023 ATI, at near the pre-pandemic scale, also demonstrated that Africans could host world-class safe events.<\/P>
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\u201cThis year, at Africa Travel Indaba, we are working hard to exceed pre-COVID attendance numbers and have an estimated 6, 000 people attending from all over South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world.<\/P>
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\u201cThis year\u2019s Indaba sees more than 350 tourism products being showcased, 1,000 buyers from across the tourism ecosystem and just under 1,000 exhibitors.<\/P>
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\u201cThe attendees include destination marketing bodies, hotel groups, airlines, tour operators, and 10 African tourism boards and 21 African countries represented here,\u201d she said.<\/P>
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Lille said that the event was hosted under the mantra \u201cShaping Africa\u2019s Tomorrow, Through Connection Today\u201d.<\/P>
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She said a lot had changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the nation found it necessary and critical to reposition ATI to ensure it remains relevant in the current environment.<\/P>
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\u201cThis positioning speaks to the essence of Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba, bringing the world to Africa to positively influence the continent\u2019s economic and cultural trajectories.<\/P>
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\u201cTo all the buyers present here today, you are critical in promoting Africa as a premier travel destination and thank you for continuing to partner with us in showcasing our continent\u2019s diverse experiences and attractions.<\/P>
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\u201cTo all the African product owners, thank you for your contribution in creating a cohesive and thriving tourism sector that benefits communities and promotes faster economic growth,\u201d she said.<\/P>
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Lille explained that the South African Department of Tourism keenly understood the value of tourism businesses, especially small to medium enterprises.<\/P>
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According to her, this is the reason she remains proud of the investment made in this regard, as part of the department\u2019s \u2018Market Access Support Programme\u2019 (MASP).<\/P>
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She said the department of tourism had supported 123 local small inbound tourism enterprises through its MASP, to showcase their products and services at the \u2018Hidden Gems\u2019 pavilion during ATI.<\/P>
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\u201cThe total value of support approved for the 123 enterprises amounts to R11.7million and this investment will enable these small businesses to display their unique products and services.<\/P>
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\u201cIt will also allow them to expand their networks, and foster partnerships that will drive the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry in South Africa,\u201d she said.<\/P>
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Earlier, Nomasonto Ndlovu, acting Chief Executive Officer, South African Tourism (SAT), said the theme for the event was crafted with the observation of the enormous potential Africans possessed as well as their ingenuity.<\/P>
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\u201cThe theme for this year\u2019s INDABA speaks directly to African countries\u2019 immerse potential which will be showcased in the course of this expo.<\/P>
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\u201cThe energy here is absolutely electrifying and I am happy to be here today,\u201d she said.<\/P>
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Source: News Agency of Nigeria<\/P>
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The 2023 edition of Africa\u2019s Travel Indaba (ATI) started on Tuesday in Durban, South Africa, with delegates from 21 countries.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event with the theme, \u201cUnlimited Africa\u201d, was declared opened by Patricia De…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n