Durban’s coffers set to swell with Indaba 2007

Durban stands to cash in with a double money-spinning whammy from two major events coinciding in the city this weekend.

The city is set to host the biggest Indaba in history with more than 12 000 local and foreign delegates attending what is arguably the biggest tourism trade show in the southern hemisphere at the International Convention Centre.

Add to that the expected sellout of the Sharks’ first Super 14 home semifinal at Absa stadium on Saturday and the local hospitality industry is in for another multimillion-rand boost.

“Practically all hotels and B&Bs in the city are 100 percent booked for the coming weekend. It will be difficult to find accommodation in central Durban and the opposing team and fans may have to find accommodation outside the city, possibly in Pietermaritzburg,” said Warren Ozard, the KwaZulu-Natal Operations Manager of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa).

The Indaba is an annual showcase of Southern Africa’s tourism products and services for the international travel trade.

“Every year during Indaba in Durban most Fedhasa members report capacity occupancy rates, but with an even greater overall attendance expected this year smaller establishments and B&Bs are also reporting being fully booked,” said Ozard.

Ndabo Khoza, the newly appointed Chief Executive of Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN), was also optimistic about the weekend. “Indaba 2007 is expected to inject more than R260 million into the local economy, and now with the Sharks semi-final we are in for a huge weekend,” he said.

Khoza said that attracting major events to the province was part of TKZN’s strategy, and this weekend provided a good opportunity to showcase Durban’s capabilities to Indaba delegates.

“It’s just awesome. We knew Indaba would be bigger this year with the run-up to hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, but all indications are that it is going to be even beyond our expectations,” said South African Tourism Indaba Project Manager Sindile Xulu.

“The event is going to see another record-breaking year with the 12 000-participant mark set to be topped for the first time. Figures are about 10% up on last year, and for the first time Indaba has also attracted more than 1 800 exhibiting companies.

“We have already broken our target of attracting 4 500 trade visitors or buyers. This stands at more than 4 900 and we are also expecting 550 international and local media people to cover Indaba 2007,” she said.

Xulu said that aside from mainstay interest from South Africa’s main international source markets – like Europe and America – there was strong interest from African delegates and exhibitors. Visitors from more than 80 countries would be at Indaba.

Officials said that all preparations for the event were on track. Bright red banners displaying Indaba’s signature “Welcome” logo, incorporating the South African flag, already lined Durban’s major streets, highways and the perimeter of the ICC.

Report by Suren Naidoo, The Mercury, South Africa