Durban, KwaZulu-Natal is now host to two major travel shows.
The inaugural KZN Travel And Adventure Show, which will run alongside the ECR House and Garden Show at the Durban Exhibition Centre, from 8 – 10 July, is open to the public.
Indaba, which is staged annually in Durban, is Africa’s biggest tourism exhibition, but is only open to the tourism trade industry.
For the first time in KZN, the public will be able to interact personally with over eighty tourism destinations, resorts, operators and airlines, offering significant discounts and show specials for novel travel and adventure activities – all under one roof.
Organisers of the Show, which is hosted by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, are offering a fantastic two shows for the price of one deal. A ticket to the ECR House and Garden Show gives free entry to the KZN Travel and Adventure Show, and vice versa.
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN) chief executive officer, Mr Ndabo Khoza, explained; “With the influx of tourists to the province, enjoying our warm winter weather, we felt that July is the perfect time to provide a public platform for a wide range of travel options at affordable rates.”
“The KZN Travel & Adventure Show will be an opportunity for us to promote intra-travel within the province and for the people of KZN to explore and discover new tourism products that they can visit on their next holiday. KwaZulu-Natal is the second-biggest source market for domestic tourism in the province. The people of KZN already account for 90% of our market share and the Show will give them an opportunity to rediscover other offerings within our exceptional destination.”
He continued: “Durban remains one of the most popular destinations, however this show will uncover some of our hidden gems ranging from all the corners of the Zulu Kingdom, from the magnificent Drakensberg to the adventure-filled South Coast as well as rich historical sites like the Mandela Capture Site and Inanda Heritage Routes. “
“We will also be promoting some of our township routes such as INK, Claremont and Umlazi and visitors will be able to book a tour right there at the Show.”
“There is great demand for a show like this to fulfill the needs of the new age traveller. Most tourists no longer regard a holiday as an opportunity to break away and relax. Several now want t achieve more during their holidays and are now seeking ‘aspirational travel experiences,’ filled with unique and exciting, adventure and adrenalin-filled experiences, from mountain-biking, shark diving, to zip line or bungee jumping.”
One of the KZN exhibitors, Gooderson Leisure, represented by their General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Gail Westphal, commented; “This Show is long overdue! It will show local people just what a variety of attractions there are, just outside their homes. Within our Group, beach, berg, bush and battlefield attractions can all be accessed in just one day.”
There will be daily promotions and activities at the Show and guest appearances by the Sharks rugby team as well as Wild Adventures Jungle Playground for children plus dancers and a poet forming part of the KZN Department of Arts and Culture stand.
Exhibitors are running Show Specials and significant discounts on accommodation, flights and travel. Prizes include holidays to Bangkok and Dubai as well as local resorts.