Africa's Tourism Indaba 2023

With the return of tourism activities in Africa having seen a leap in the first quarter of the year, the continent’s tourism sector is gearing itself to once again conduct business at the upcoming Africa’s Travel Indaba.

Successful hosting of the 17th Meetings Africa event by South Africa has sent a strong signal to the world about the readiness of Africa – buying the confidence of many to set sight on the leisure show. Scheduled to take place from the 8th – 11th May 2023 in Durban, South Africa, the leading leisure show in the Africa region will be looking to take off from where the successful Meetings Africa and World Travel Market held in Johannesburg and Cape Town this year.

The show is meant to offer the tourism sector an opportune platform to showcase to the world what’s on offer at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 – a trade show that has established itself as the continent’s premier tourism trade platform.

South African Tourism is looking to rally the continent and welcome back international delegates from various parts of the world – to reconnect and share the real success stories of resilience, while demonstrating Africa’s world-class tourism products which will continue to give travellers an unforgettable experience.

Programme

Monday, 8 May 2023
Business Opportunity Networking Day (BOND) Day
  • Selection of 30 Gauteng quality, carefully vetted and market ready SMMEs – Regional intervention.
  • The aim of the GTA is for SMME is to interface with inbound travel trade with the emerging Gauteng tourism businesses.
  • Create Speed marketing opportunities.
  • Create educational and information sharing opportunities for SMMEs o Encourage promotion of deal driven packages.
Tuesday, 9 May 2023
Day 2: SPORTINGP – Motoring and Rowing Regatta Activation Starts at 17:30 at our stand K25
  • Official ATI Opening Day
  • Focusing on the benefits and Leveraging on the motoring including the development and promotion of the sales driven deals and packages.
  • Focus on the upcoming Formula1, Kyalami 9HR, and Soweto Drift Orange farm spin academy.
  • Spotlight on World Rowing Masters Regatta, showcasing Tshwane and Dinokeng.
Wednesday, 10 May 2023
Day 3: Gplifestye Experience showcase of fashion by Tshepo Jeans, Sbhiva and Boys of Soweto
  • Create a #GPlifestyle experience showcasing Gauteng’s offerings and products through curated food, fashion and lifestyle experiences.
  • Showcase Gauteng tourism experiences, township tourism offerings, signature products and experiences, urban spaces, creative GP and Gauteng Eats through engagement and experiential showcase activities.

DigiSym –  See more

Thursday, 11 May 2023
Day 4 – Rooftop Experience Activation @ Rooftop BBQ in uMhlanga
  • Create a #GPlifestyle experience showcasing Gauteng’s offerings and products through curated food, fashion and lifestyle experiences.
  • Showcase Gauteng tourism experiences, township tourism offerings, signature products and experiences, urban spaces, creative GP and Gauteng Eats through engagement and experiential showcase activities.

SMMEs

The GTA expresses its support for SMMEs which is underpinned by the Township Economic Development built to radically transform the economy while ensuring coordination and integration of resources for sustainability in housing.

In the 2023 Africa’s Tourism Indaba, the GTA will be supporting 30 SMMEs from townships as a catalyst, positioning SMMEs ease as catalyst for accelerated growth. Following are the SMMEs:

Profiling our SMMEs

ATI 2023: SMMEs - Malethola Matube, Peterson Mahlangu & Esther Msibi at the Africa's Travel Indaba

Meet Malethola Matube, Founder and Executive Director of Iketsetse Bokamoso, Peterson Mahlangu, the passionate entrepreneur behind Fundani Tours, and Esther Msibi, the driving force behind Sesinqobile Dynamic Tourism.

ATI 2023: SMMEs - Moses Ndlovu, Nokubonga Ngqola & Theo Makhathini Showcase @ Africa's Travel Indaba

Meet Moses Ndlovu, the founder of Mozee Tours and Transport, Nokubonga Ngqola, the welcoming host at Ekuthuleni Guest House, and Theo Makhathini, the visionary owner of The Dream Basket.

ATI 2023: SMMEs - Nesang Maleka of Soweto Adventure Experience

Meet Mr Nesang Maleka, founder of Soweto Adventure Experience, a thriving SMME (Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprise) supported by the Gauteng Tourism Authority.

Deals and Packages

All
Ekurhuleni
Johannesburg
Sedibeng
Tshwane
West Rand

DigiSym

Gauteng Tourism Presents: #Digisym 2023 | A meeting of some of the best minds & innovators to discuss digital content & content marketing tourism industry.

Background

In 2018, Gauteng Tourism in collaboration with tourism networking, blogger, and influencer organisations played host to Digital Symposium 2018 (#digisym2018).

Attended by tourism industry stakeholders, product owners, digital specialists, and influencers; the seminar provided a platform for these experts in digital content and marketing to share advice and insights. At the seminar, presentations discussed the current climate of the digital economy, with a key focus on destination marketing. The discussions also paid attention to the digital economy’s requirements and what it would take to meet its future demands. Industry experts also brought their knowledge, insights gained, and shared various tools and resources that have helped them successfully navigate this ever-changing industry.

2023 GTA led DigiSym at Africa’s Travel Indaba (10 May 2023)

This year, Gauteng Tourism aims to lead and host the third installment of the digital symposium at Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban. The seminar will comprise of various activation points that speak to the advancement of the digital economy with a key focus on destination marketing.

The primary objectives of this year’s #Digisym2023 are to:

  • Promote and position Gauteng Tourism as both a thought leader and champion in the digital tourism space.
  • Cement Gauteng Tourism as a leader in digital tourism.
  • Position Gauteng as the leading province in terms of digital destination marketing.
  • Allow local influencers and the travel trade to network in an environment of learning.
  • Motivate and educate the industry to market Gauteng better.
Proposed Themes

 

The Digisym will be specifically structured to focus on current trends, best practices, and case studies in Digital Marketing. It aims to guide those in attendance on how to create innovative Marketing strategies with action plans that can be used to gain competitive advantage for their destinations, products, facilities, and businesses.

The key themes proposed for this year include:

  • Travel Technology: Showcasing the new industry tools and platforms centered around travel technology as well as current trends and the future of digital economy.

      E.g., Automated stores, 3D technology and animation.

  • Digitally empowering the SMME: How to mobilise entrepreneurial drive and to create an environment for tech savvy SMMES and tourism products
  • Digital Branding: Role-players in the tourism space using digital tools and communities to elevate their brands.
  • Content Creation & Marketing
  • Diversity in successful digital marketing

The seminar will have a list of dynamic speakers and showcase Gauteng through various interactive experiences such as digital branding, videos, and virtual reality experiences of the province.

  • The digital symposium will infuse into Gauteng’s Tourism’s Digital Marketing drive to provide a fulfilling experience of Gauteng through the packaging of interactive digital platforms, campaigns, and experiences.
  • There is opportunity to network with other digital industry leaders, professionals, and students from which there is an exceptional opportunity for horizontal exchange of experience.
  • The promotion of Innovations around tourism safety and security
  • The digital symposium aims to create a sizeable input from industry role players.
  • Create an experiential exhibition showcasing possibilities of digital marketing in the high technology era.
  • Place the event as an ignition that guides the tourism industry and government in putting up resources.
  • Leverage the event’s large media profile to generate editorial coverage that influences travel to Gauteng and resulting in increased visitation to the province.
  • By having this symposium, we will also be able to generate content for our social and digital media channels in line with the monthly focus content plan. We will also have access to the digital influencers who have continued to grow the destination brand and profile the province as a vibrant, urban vibe big city through placement of stories in the social media platforms that influence travelers.

#Digisym2023 Programme:

ATI – Room 21, Durban ICC 10 May 2023 15:30 – 18:00

Opening Session

15:30

Arrival of guests, registration, and networking

16:00

Welcome Address & Opening the Session by Programme Director

16:10

Gauteng Destination Video Showcase

Speakers Session:

16:15

Topic: Innovations & Trends in the travel Industry that will define its landscape in 2023 and beyond.

Stewart Smith, Managing Director: Sojern

16:30

Topic: Sharing economy enabled digital service platforms

Airbnb Representative

 

16:30

Gauteng Destination Video Showcase

16:35

Topic: Empowering and Capacitating the SMME for digital savviness

Tshepo Matlou, CEO & Business Coach: Sobona & Former Marketing for Jurni APP

 

 

16:50

Topic: How to use digital tools and communities to elevate your brands:

Aleta Moloi, Marketing & Communications: Gautrain

16:50

Gauteng Destination Video Showcase

17:00

Topic: Why is creative content essential to crafting powerful digital experiences

Janine Muthusamy, Marketing & Communications: Constitution Hill

17:15

Gauteng: It Starts Here! A Journey through the making of GTA digital assets

17:30

Q & A Session with Speakers

17:45

Closing, Cocktail and Networking Session

 

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