This World Cup offers our industry and nation a rich legacy. Let’s all leave INDABA 2010 determined to realise that legacy; Thandiwe January-McLean, Chief Executive Officer, South African Tourism
Johannesburg – On the second last day of INDABA 2010, South African Tourism and exhibition organisers were certain that attendance this year would at least equal last year’s numbers, if not surpass them.
By 14h30 on Monday, May 10, 13 856 people had passed through INDABA’s turnstiles. And with the afternoon of the second last day and the last day still to come, there was every good chance that INDABA would top last year’s attendance figures, said Thandiwe January-McLean, chief executive officer at South African Tourism.
It was an excellent achievement for the industry, January Mc-Lean said, that INDABA had succeeded in attracting outstanding attendance during a period in which the effects of the global economic crisis still lingered and when the window to purchase 2010 FIFA World Cup collateral had largely closed.
“This has been an outstanding INDABA for many of us,” January-McLean said.”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.”
She was especially pleased, she said, to note that buyers and visitors from the rest of the African continent had recorded good growth in INDABA delegate numbers. There was a 100 percent increase in buyers from Angola; an 18 percent increase in buyers from Mozambique; and a 23 percent increase in buyers from Tanzania. Between them, these markets had sent 83 buyers to INDABA 2010.
Moreover, by 14h30 on Monday afternoon, almost 10 percent more exhibiting companies had attended INDABA this year. This was a clear indication, she said, of bullishness and buoyancy in the industry.
Clearly, the hunger was growing for the beauty, accessibility and unique human experiences that South Africa offers a world of travelers.
“INDABA is always hard work, and not only for us at South African Tourism. A successful INDABA demands months of planning by every single delegate. It demands an investment of time and energy. It is this partnership and focus on a collective cause that makes INDABA, and our industry, as successful as they are.
“South Africa stands before one of the most exciting times in its history… being host to a FIFA World Cup. We all need to grab this opportunity to show our many visitors the best time ever in South Africa. And we need to work together with creative insight and energy after the World Cup to maintain arrivals to South Africa. This World Cup offers our industry and nation a rich legacy. Let’s all leave INDABA 2010 determined to realise that legacy.”