| One of the most successful INDABAs ever! |
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 AS THE LAST day of INDABA 2009 dawns on Durban, exhibitors, buyers, journalists and visitors are all sure to take a deep breath and take stock of one of the mostsuccessful INDABAs ever. Didi Moyle, Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Executive Officer at South African Tourism is full of praise for every effort that went into making this INDABA the success it was. “INDABA is always hard work, and not only for us at South African Tourism. A successful INDABA demands months of planning by every single delegate. It demands an investment of time and energy. It is this partnership and focus on a collective cause that makes INDABA, and our industry, as successful as they are.” Attendance at INDABA was down this year. This was expected in light of the global economic crisis and an industry whose growth has slowed significantly in the last nine months with some tourism businesses closing down. By close of business on Monday afternoon, 12 002 people had come through the INDABA front door. By 5pm on Monday, total attendance figures were down 2.35 percent on 2008 attendance. There were fewer exhibitors at INDABA this year (1.37 percent down on last year) and there were 7.04 percent fewer visitors. However, the number of media delegates grew significantly. There were 10.24 percent more journalists at INDABA this year than last year: 673 journalists in total. Although numbers are down this year, host South African Tourism is not disappointed. Says Moyle: “It’s been a quality rather than a quantity INDABA. We have had numerous reports of brisk business and keen interest in our destination and products ahead of the Confederations Cup and 2010.” The highlight of INDABA was the launch, during the Opening Ceremony, of South African Tourism’s 2010 campaign that invites the world to visit and to experience “rhythm like you’ve never seen before”. The 60 second television commercial (that will be flighted on all the major global television networks and at home on the SABC channels) was screened for the first time publicly at the Opening Ceremony and was met with rapturous applause and enthusiasm by the thousands strong audience. The Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award (ETEYA) winners were announced during a gala banquet on Friday night. CEO Moyle welcomed ETEYA home as this was the first time the Awards had been made in South Africa. The 2008 ETEYA winner is Brenda Rooipaai (City of Choice Travel Tours). ETEYA enjoys the generous support of South African Breweries. The winners of the 2008 Welcome Awards were also announced. The Welcome Awards are now entrenched as South Africa’s premier industry service excellence and this year’s Award attracted twice as many entries as were attracted last year. Says Hanneli Slabber, South African Tourism Global Manager, Product: “Levels of service exhibited by the winners enhance visitor experience and this, in turn, grows our industry, impacts positively on the broader South African economy and positions South Africa as a globallycompetitive destination.” The Welcome\Awards are supported by First National Bank. Many of the 611 journalists at INDABA this year said that Sunday morning’s Global Media Face Off was one of the best they have ever attended at INDABA. The event was moderated by CNN anchor, Richard Quest and examined the global recession, its impact on the industry and the opportunities that big events (such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup) offer the industry. The Global Media face off alsoexamined safety and security measures in place already for the sports spectacular, the state of airport readiness and the challenges facing host 2010 World Cup broadcaster, the SABC. South African Tourism, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism; the Reserve Bank and Statistics South Africa launched the first Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) on Saturday afternoon. The TSA enables these partners to measure and track the contribution that tourism makes to the total economy. It gives the nation and its leaders in both the private and public sector a means by which to accurately determine tourism’s contribution to the national economy, and to scenario plan around imperatives such as economic growth and job creation. |