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“This has been an outstanding INDABA for many of us. It has been
the INDABA at which we have collectively cast our minds to the future of our
industry, and of our destination. The pace of business at INDABA this year, and
the quality of delegates, both exhibiting and buying, indicate that we have
every reason to be optimistic about South Africa as a destination after the
2010 World Cup. The brisk business that was conducted here this year gives us
every confidence that our industry is on a sound footing for the future.”

These were the words of Thandiwe January-McLean, chief executive
officer of South African Tourism (SAT) while appraising this year’s INDABA held
in Durban, South Africa from May 8 to 11. More than 12,000 delegates attended
the travel and tourism trade fair which showcases Southern Africa’s tourism
products. It is owned by South African Tourism and organised by Kagiso
Exhibitions.

The turnout gladdened January-McLean’s heart. She noted that it
was an excellent achievement that INDABA succeeded in attracting great
attendance at a period when the effects of the global economic crisis are still
lingering.

January-McLean was also pleased that buyers and visitors from
the rest of Africa had recorded growth in INDABA delegate numbers. There was a
100 per cent increase in buyers from Angola; an 18 percent increase in buyers
from Mozambique; and a 23 percent increase in buyers from Tanzania. These
markets had sent 83 buyers to INDABA 2010 between them.

In spite of this, the SAT boss has some other goals to further
develop tourism in her country. She wants South Africa to be the biggest
destination of choice for tourists from Africa; open more regional offices and
wants continuous feedback from people about South Africa. “I’ll like to hear
very genuinely how you feel about South Africa, issues and areas that you are
happy about and those you are not happy about,” she said,

Presence in Nigeria

Towards realising some of these objectives, SAT has included
Nigeria in its plans. Regional Director, Africa and Domestic Markets, South
African Tourism, Phumi Dhlomo, revealed the body’s plans for Nigeria. “The plan
for the Nigerian market is inclusive of the fact that we want a presence in the
market itself; then we will have a representative in the Nigerian market. Our
trade partners have increased tremendously and there has been a lot of focus
within Nigeria in particular because they have qualified for the World Cup.”

Getting visas is a major problem for intending visitors to South
Africa but Dhlomo assured this will soon be history. “There is a huge visa
problem in Nigeria but it’s mainly in Lagos, not Abuja because there is clear
and easy facilitation of the processing of visas in Abuja. One of the main
reasons there is a problem in the processing of visa in Lagos amongst other reasons
is the capacity of staff at the Embassy. One of the other options that is being
looked at is outsourcing the processing. The Embassy only does the issuing
which takes away all the hassles. The Embassy just checks and verifies the
visas.

“There’s a company in Lagos that does that for Britain. That’s
the first thing. But over and above that, we know that majority of the people
when they book to come to South Africa; they book through travel trade
partners. These travel trade partners will be allowed special concessions…we
will facilitate the processing of visas for people they have prescreened. This
will boost the business of those people who will be the accredited partners
that we will have.”

He disclosed the process of selecting the trade partners that
will participate in the scheme. “What happened is that in Nigeria, we requested
our trade partners to present proposals on how they want to work with us and we
received five. The others failed to send proposals so we were able to accredit
only those five, unfortunately.”

Opening up INDABA

Though INDABA is a fair to exhibit tourist attractions in South
Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, Kenya
was allowed to exhibit this year. Is the show opening up and will the courtesy
given to Kenya be extended to Nigeria?

Dhlomo answered, “It could be opened to other African countries
but the request was made initially by Kenya. The main challenge is that the
International Conference Centre and the adjoining venue, as you can see, are
full. Durban having won the tender to host for the next five years, if we
extend to the rest of continent, where is it going to be held? Are you going to
close some of the roads and extend it even further? What is going to happen
next and that is the main thing. There is really no problem from our side but
the request was made by Kenya to the Minister of Tourism who agreed.”