INDABA 2008

 Overstrand participated in the 2008 Tourism Indaba, which according to informed observers can be regarded as a “resounding success”.

According to statistics Africa's greatest tourism exhibition, held from 10 to 13 May, attracted a total sum of 13 222 participants, including 196 representatives of  international media houses and 425 local media representatives.

The indaba is 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.

The Overstrand stand, which formed part of the Overberg exhibition, was opened by the Mayor, Mr Theo Beyleveldt, on Sunday afternoon. He also visited stands of other Overstrand tourism products. Mr Beyleveldt highlighted the importance of tourism for the economic development of the area.

Mr Soli Madikane, the municipal director for economic development, said the Overstrand delegates used the opportunity to network and create contacts with relevant international and local tour operators with a view to shape the tourist's mind to visit the area. “Our message was that the Whalecoast was ‘much more than whales’.  Delegates were invited to come and bring visitors to investigate our destinations and what they have to offer, especially in terms of scenic beauty and cultural heritage,” Mr Madikane said. 

Overstrand once again gave opportunity to emerging entrepreneurs to be part of its stand and offer “invaluable cultural experiences” in our area to foreign and local visitors, according to Mr Madikane. Among them were Kumbuza Masiko, who conducts walking tours of historical Stanford, Thobeka Vivashe, who takes visitors on township tours in Gansbaai, Hermanus Whale Cruises and Isiqalo Beaded Products. 

The Western Province Hotel and Spa, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, the Marine Hotel and Dyer Island Cruises were amongst the Overstrand tourism products that participated independently at the Indaba and reported doing good business when they were visited.   

According to Mr Madikane the need now is to package tourism products into experiences that will attract more and more visitors in the area. The contacts and networks built over the years with local and international tour operators, as shapers of tourist's decision to visit the area, should be harnessed in the process. 

The partnership approach was emphasized at the official opening of Indaba, during which the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, launched the “Boundless Southern Africa” brand for transfrontier conservation areas. According to her a single brand is a strong marketing model and forms a solid base for awareness-raising. This is also important for attracting investments into the industry. 

SA Tourism CEO, Moeketsi Msolo, pointed out that global attention is increasingly being focused on South Africa as the FIFA 2010 World Cup Host nation. “It is time to play ball,” was his wake-up call. 

Mr Madikane said a review session will soon be held with the aim of bringing together key tourism players to reflect on the gains of INDABA, prepare our focus for 2010 Soccer World Cup and to determine strategies towards making Overstrand's tourism a sustainable success story.