Durban - The 2010 Tourism Indaba attendance numbers was likely to top last year's, said Chief Executive Officer of SA Tourism Thandiwe January-McLean.
"It was an excellent achievement for the industry. The Indaba has succeeded in attracting outstanding attendance during a period in which the effects of the global economic crises still lingered and when the window to purchase 2010 FIFA World Cup collateral has largely closed," January-McLean said.
On Monday, it was estimated that close to 13 900 people had already attended the four-day Indaba that was hosted at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban.
"This has been an outstanding Indaba for many of us. The pace of business at Indaba this year, and the quality of delegates indicate that we have every reason to be optimistic about South Africa as a destination after the 2010 World Cup," she said on Tuesday at the close of the Indaba.
January-McLean said the World Cup will offer the tourism industry and nation "a rich legacy".
"South Africa stands before one of the most exciting times in its history... being host to a FIFA World Cup. We all need to grab this opportunity to show our many visitors the best time ever in South Africa," she added.
This year's Indaba showed that buyers and visitors from the rest of the African continent had recorded good growth in delegate numbers.
There was a 100 percent increase in buyers from Angola, an 18 percent increase in buyers from Mozambique and a 23 percent increase in buyers from Tanzania.
Between them, these markets had sent 83 buyers to Indaba 2010.
Almost 10 percent more exhibiting companies had attended the Indaba this year. This was a clear indication of bullishness and buoyancy in the industry, according to January-McLean.
