By Simon Nare
AFRICA’s undeniable beauty, its attractive destinations and its splendor will take centre stage as travel and tourism role players across the continent gather at the Travel Indaba at the Durban ICC.
The annual Africa Travel Indaba kicked off on Monday offering industry players the chance to showcase their products and services to the who’s who in the sector from the continent and the world. Industry professionals and exhibitors were on hand to ply their trade and to lure potential visitors to their exhibition stands.
“This event provides a platform for African countries to promote their destinations, products, and services while offering networking opportunities, educational seminars, and insights into the latest trends in the travel industry,” tourism deputy minister Fish Mahlalela told delegates at the business networking session to kick start the event.
Industry players are set to engage in a wide range of discussions that will chart a way forward for what is widely regarded as the dark continent and change the narrative, said Mahlasela.
Top of the discussion agenda will be the fact that Africa is often referred to as a young continent as it is found that in different countries – the largest section of the population is under the age of 30. A World Bank article reported that by 2035, over 400 million young people in Africa will reach a working age.
“Ladies and gentlemen, in 2024, an “Unlimited Africa” is one that adapts and advances along with technology, therefore as a progressive sector, let us not miss out on the opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence,” said Mahlasela.
As the stakeholders gathered, Mahlasela made a passionate plea to walk the talk.
“It is up to us as Africans to open the world’s eyes to what we have to offer as a continent and take charge of the narrative because only when we are proactive, will we control our destiny. There is no opportune time to do that than at Africa’s Travel Indaba, in May, which significantly, is also Africa month,” he said.
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