Durban Tourism Indaba pulls the crowds

South Africa's Tourism Indaba, which will take place from May 7 to May 10 at the International Convention Centre in Durban, has attracted a record number of new foreign buyers.

South African Tourism reaped the benefits of a comprehensive six-month campaign to promote Indaba 2005 to the global travel trade.

To date, some 815 new international buyers have pre-registered to attend the Indaba, 223.3% more than the 365 received by the same time last year.

Ten new countries
There will also be buyers from 10 new countries who have never visited the Indaba before.

The new countries are Bermuda, Bulgaria, Columbia, Guernsey, Iran, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, the Slovak Republic and Uzbekistan.

A total of 1 550 exhibitors will be showcasing their offerings on 12 587 square metres compared with 1 530 on 12 485 square metres last year.

40% increase in visitors
The total number of visitor pre-registrations, to date - the majority of which are buyers and media from 81 unique countries - also indicates a healthy 40% increase (1 813) over 2004 (1 295).

Historically, this number significantly increases closer to May and through last-minute on-site registrations at Indaba itself.

Moeketsi Mosola, chief executive officer of South African Tourism, says that the decision to target focused groups of potential quality buyers had significantly boosted pre-registration.

Strong presence internationally
This had been achieved both through print advertising and through a strong visible presence at two of the world's leading travel and trade exhibitions, namely last year's World Travel Market in London and, just this past weekend, at ITB in Berlin.

Indaba 2005 will be officially opened by the Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk on May 7 and his keynote address will incorporate a number of important industry-related announcements.

The four-day event will be a hive of business activity supported by a full programme of daily exhibitor events and activities, the highlights of which will also include the Minister's launch of the industry's BEE Scorecard.