Durban will host Indaba for the next five years as the city seeks to become the African travel trade show’s permanent home.
Speaking at the opening of the ceremony on Saturday, tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said a new contract means the city would host the event, which attracts about 12,000 delegates, until 2015.
The city has hosted the four-day event 21 times in the last 31 years and it continues to lobby to become its permanent home.
Michael Mabuyakhulu, member of the executive council finance, economic development and tourism for the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, which encompasses Durban, said: “Durban will always be part of Indaba’s DNA, the province has a vision to accomplish not only this ideal but to ensure that Indaba is one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of other trade shows.
“To do this, we believe it is critical that we should resolve the issue of the permanent status of Indaba.
“As we celebrate 31 years of this trade show, which has become synonymous with Durban, we believe that it is our collective duty to ensure that, just like London has World Travel Market, Spain has Fitur and Germany ITB, Indaba should become a permanent feature of Durban.”