This week we deviate somewhat from the usual Face-Off structure by comparing our own proudly South African Indaba 2009, to be held in four days’ time to the European World Travel Market 2009, the closest to Indaba’s equivalent on the annual travel and tourism calendar.

Being Proudly South African, the voting results are probably guaranteed to reflect Indaba as the African travel and tourism industry’s preferred event. However, it is extremely interesting to see how an event like World Travel Market, held in London in November, measures up to Indaba, bearing in mind that the European financial resources are probably far more superior than Africa’s.

But, after you’ve read the comparison, which by the way, was gathered from both events’ web sites this time round and not from direct interaction with the CEO’s, be honest in your evaluation when you vote. Vote with your head, not with your heart in our poll at the end of the article. If there are ways in which Indaba can improve to claim the title of “the world’s premium travel event”, it might help organisers realise this dream sooner than later. However, the choice is yours, so let’s see how the two events measure up …

Indaba 2009 – 9th May – 12th May 2009

About Indaba
Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing event on the African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar.

It showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa’s best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world. Indaba is owned by South African Tourism, organised by Kagiso Exhibitions and Events and takes place from May 9 to 12 at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

Highlight of the event
The Global Media Face Off will be SA Tourism’s flagship media event at Indaba. It is a media conference attended by local and foreign journalists giving South African Tourism an opportunity to tell the world’s media about the health of the industry and to unpack the challenges and opportunities the industry and the country face. The Face Off gives journalists an opportunity to direct questions to national and tourism principals and experts. The upcoming 2010 Soccer World Cup will also feature prominently.

Exhibitor Profile
Indaba brings together a showcase of Southern African tourism products and services for the international travel trade. Exhibitors in the DEC (Durban Exhibition Centre) include provincial authorities and provincial products. In the ICC (International Convention Centre), exhibitor categories include accommodation, tour operators, game lodges, transport, online travel, media publications and industry associations. Outdoor exhibitors include transport, camping and safari companies.

Statistical Details for 2008
Attendance has not only been impressive, but has exceeded all expectations with a record-breaking 12,429 participants having visited Indaba in 2008 – the most in the history of the trade show. Furthermore, Indaba 2008 has welcomed more first-time local and international visitors than ever before, cementing its position as a ‘must-visit’ event on local, regional and international travel trade calendars. The total number of visitors attending the exhibition grew by 7.5%, from 4,161 to 4,437.

The official statistics are:

• Overall Attendance 12,429
• Exhibiting Companies 1,725
• Exhibiting Personnel 7,992
• Visitors 4,437
• Countries represented 70
• Media representatives 559

Environmental vision
Encouraging our partners, business associates, exhibitors, delegates and visitors to support our efforts and share this vision:

• Selecting products and services that reflect and support our environmental vision.
• Raising awareness of the environmental, social and economic impacts of Indaba 2009 and of our efforts to address these responsibility.
• Ensuring the highest possible recovery levels of recycled waste during the event.
• Decreasing the amount of landfill waste generated by and as a result of our activities.
• Reducing and managing energy and water consumption during Indaba.
• Minimising and where possible, off-setting harmful emissions resulting from transportation and energy consumption associated with this event.
• Eliminating the use of harmful chemicals used at or during the event.
• Establishing an environmental legacy to commemorate our achievements in this regard.

World Travel Market 2009 – 9th – 12th November 2009

About World Travel Market
Staged annually at ExCel in London, World Travel Market is a vibrant must attend four day business to business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and International travel professionals. It is a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business under one roof. By attending World Travel Market, participants efficiently, effectively and productively gain immediate competitive advantage for their business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry.

Highlight of the event
In 2009 WTM will continue to attract some of the world’s leading economic, industry and highly specialist experts to assist and advise delegates. Over the four days a wide range of topics will be covered including, technology and online travel, airlines, future trends, PR and marketing, together with a Travel Agents’ focus comprising of educational and integrated programme of skills, training product knowledge, fun entertainment and fabulous prize give-aways.

Exhibition Profile
In 2008, exhibitors on the floor represented 187 countries and regions within UK & Ireland, Europe, Americas, Global Village, Asia/Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Exhibitor profiles range from National Tourist Boards and Destinations to Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, Technology and Online Travel Companies and Trade Associations. Overall there were nearly 100 new exhibitors. A highlight was the increasing success of Technology and Online Travel which saw a growth of 9% in new exhibitors.

Statistical Details for 2008

• An increase of 4% to 49,963 participants through its doors.
• An increase of 11% to 26,446 of Trade visitor attendance, industry buyers and decision makers.
• A 4% increase in the number of exhibiting companies at 5,615.

Environmental vision
Over the past years, World Travel Market has dedicated one day to responsible tourism through a programme encouraging debate, discussion and action, highlighting case studies and best practice and participation by all sectors of the industry.
The purpose of WTM World Responsible Tourism Day is to …

• help drive change by educating more responsible behaviour with the travel and tourism industry and travelling public
• explore the issues of how countries and destinations are made more sustainable including case studies of best practices
• educate the marketplace and debate key environmental related issues to push the agenda and be a catalyst for change
• harness the influence of World Travel Market as an international business forum to encourage the industry to drive the responsible tourism agenda forward.

About Author
Leoni Benghiat has a keen interest in travel-related topics and dabbles in all kinds of journalism newspapers, magazines, websites, whatever publishing opportunity presents itself. Being a patriotic South African she feels the need to tell the whole world that South Africa has much to offer, even though some days might seem dark. And the wonder of the internet has made this possible with the help of all the other South Africans in the travel industry, of course. Email her on: benghiat@sagateway.com

Please feel free to suggest any industry players or leaders in their field to be included in our Industry Face-Off.