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The Future of Indaba …According to Some of our Client Exhibitors

With Indaba 2014 just in our rear view mirror we’re taking a bit of time to reflect on the biggest travel and tourism exhibition in Africa. Attendance to the Indaba Tourism expo has been on the decline for the past couple of years and there was no hiding the fact that there was a definite need for improvement for Indaba 2014.  The expectations were built high with new upgrades to the event being added, such as a premium lounge for the serious exhibitors and a TechZone showcasing the latest developments and offerings in the global tourism industry.  Even with these enhancements the question still remains, “Did Indaba turn the corner towards success or did it fall beneath the cracks compared to Cape Town’s travel exhibitions?”

As many of our clients are in the Travel & Tourism industry, we decided to dig a little bit deeper into the question at hand, “Is Cape Town taking over the travel trade reigns?”  Although this topic may stray on the controversial side, we decided to step on the wild side, as our name implies, and test the waters!

We asked some of our client exhibitors about their views on Indaba to get an experience based feel for the future of the expo...

We asked:
Q1. Did you attend Indaba 2014 and was it a success for you?
Q2.  In one sentence, explain what your Indaba experience was like.
Q3. Did you attend We Are Africa 2014?
Q4. Do you plan to attend Indaba 2015?
Q5. Do you plan to attend We Are Africa 2015?

They answered:
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Clients describe, in one sentence, what their Indaba experience was like:

The Ant Collection: “I won’t say it was unsuccessful as you always meet new operators each year, but it was definitely a lot quieter than previous years.”

Under One Botswana Sky: “It was very successful. We have achieved the majority of our targets this year.   

Safari by Ulendo: “I found it to be the great show it always is. The walk past trade was down a little, but I got to see agents who would not go to the other shows in SA. Indaba is still the biggest Africa show and important to the trade and exhibitors. People should not keep comparing it to We Are Africa – they are very different and aimed at different markets for the most part.”

Tongabezi: “Less busy than normal and harder to get appointments but still worthwhile.”

Jaci’s Safari Lodge: “Pleasantly surprised with Indaba, as I was expecting a rather slow one compared to We Are Africa. Indaba produced a full schedule every day that actually surprised us, and the amount of passing trade was a great bonus.”

WildWeb’s stand on the future of Indaba:

As long as our clients are continuing to attend, we will continue to visit them at their Indaba stands. By the looks of things from this short enquiry, we believe Indaba is here to stay as a top travel trade exhibition. Being able to meet our clients face to face, instead of chatting over email, is a gift the computer will never be able to offer.  The networking opportunities are unique, beneficial and remain to be valuable.  Although Cape Town’s We Are Africa and their other travel expos seem to be the newest craze, it still remains advantageous to attend Indaba.

 

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