Sisulu opens Tourism Indaba and hails “resilient” tourism sector

By: Sello Theletsane 

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu officially opened Africa’s Travel Indaba today held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre in Durban.

The trade show will bring the continent’s finest tourism products and experiences under one roof for the international audience.

More than 500 buyers have travelled from across the world to attend the 3-day event.

Addressing hundreds of delegates, Sisulu said despite additional set of challenges, on top of those presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector remained incredibly resilient.

“We meet here today while KwaZulu-Natal is still recovering from the devastation of the recent torrential rains which caused flooding in various parts of the province. I would like to thank each and every South African as well as partners from across the world, for the support they have shown in ensuring that our sector and the people of Kwa-Zulu Natal, get back on their feet.”

Sisulu added: “In reflecting on these catastrophes, we must be cognizant that we are experiencing warning signs of climate change, therefore our sector must be part of the united global response to the challenge of reducing carbon emissions.”

“We know from our insights that responsible tourism and sustainability are a big consideration for travelers from various parts of the world. Over the years, they have placed in even greater importance on this issue when choosing a destination to visit.”

Sisulu added that responsible tourism had to be the way of the future. “Practicing tourism that minimises carbon footprints, conserves energy and water, reduces waste and plastic consumption, and ensures that fair benefits accrue to communities and employees, is not just an option – it is vitally important.”

Sisulu said ensuring that communities accessed real benefits from tourism was critical to the success and sustainability of the industry on the African continent.

“For now, though, Africa’s Travel Indaba is back, this time around with renewed energy and focus. This is the continent’s leading travel trade show and the foremost business platform, geared at reconnecting the tourism sector in person whilst networking and doing business which will contribute to the much-needed recovery of our sector on the continent.”

“The theme for Africa’s Travel Indaba is Africa’s Stories, Your Success. When we start telling our own story as a continent, we embark on the journey of changing the narrative about Africa. We invite the world to join and journey with us as we together, tell the story of Africa. And importantly, we ourselves rediscover who we are, a proud invincible people who survived the brutality of colonialism.”

Sisulu said despite the effects of the COVID-19, every year going forward, “we must enhance Africa’s Travel Indaba to continue to drive growth in tourism numbers by bringing together a range of our best and most unique stories and products from across our continent, and connecting them with buyers from across the world”.

Sisulu said Africa’s Travel Indaba “is a springboard for the continent to achieve even greater levels of recovery”.

“We are here because we have a collective responsibility to reignite the African continent’s tourism growth and economy. As a sector, we are here to cement our partnerships and collaborations. It can only be to our benefit that we are a sector committed to sharing ideas and knowledge, in a bid to ensure that we advance our tourism sector recovery plan.”

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