UMhlanga businesses thrived in growing their brand and promoting their area during this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba. Often referred to as the continent’s premier travel trade event, ATI 2025 attracted over 9990 attendees, 1348 exhibitors and 1037 buyers – which included 27 African countries. The event took place at both the Durban ICC and Exhibition Centres between 13 to 15 May.
Burnham House Bed & Breakfast general manager, Jeanet Lepota, said this was her second appearance at ATI, and expressed that it started off well when she was visited by Deputy President, Paul Mashatile. She said: “This is the perfect place for relaxation as it’s very small and intimate. Once you stay, you will be at home. We experienced a fair few visitors and some promised to book our place.”
Established in 2009, Lepota said their staff’s friendliness and the way they treat people stands out from other neighbouring accommodations.
Radisson Blu Hotel Durban uMhlanga’s marketing manager, Fara Hamid, said she was happy that the attendees recognised their brand. She said: “The experience has been great. From the time I walked in, the influx of people that have visited our stand has been phenomenal and there’s been high interest in our group.”
Hamid added that by lunch time on day one, around 150 people had already passed by their stand, with the intention to invest. She said the ultimate goal when ATI concludes is to increase brand visibility, create networking opportunities and get potential sales leads. “We would like to increase our global footprint. Currently, we have hotels across South Africa in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg – to name a few – with the ultimate goal of furthering establishments globally.”
Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, said the ATI was a catalyst for inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable development in tourism, not only in South Africa but throughout Africa. “This year, Durban is the host city of Indaba and a symbol of momentum for the entire African tourism community. Tourism in South Africa makes a significant contribution to the economy, creating jobs and independent livelihoods. It reaches parts of the country where there are very few other opportunities. Tourism remains a powerful economic driver in South Africa and across the continent. In 2024, South Africa alone welcomed 8.9 million tourists, and their direct spending contribution was R91.6 billion, supporting an estimated 1.6 million jobs.”
De Lille shared that in the first quarter of 2025, South Africa welcomed close to 2.6 million tourists, reflecting a 5.7% growth compared to the same period in 2024.
