By Disha Shah Ghosh
In order to make INDABA, the annual B2B tourism marketing platform of South African Tourism (SAT), more competitive and strong, the national tourism board has issued a tender to rope in an international third party partner into the organisation of the annual event. Sharing details about the development, Margie Whitehouse, Chief Marketing Officer, South African Tourism, said, “It was announced at INDABA 2015 that we are looking at a joint venture partner to organise the annual event. The tender process is underway and we have received bids which are being evaluated. The process is firmly on track, and during the 2017 edition of INDABA, we hope to have a partner on board.” Whitehouse was speaking during a media interaction at the Sofitel BKC in Mumbai yesterday.
Derek Hanekom, Tourism Minister, South Africa, said, “The decision to hire a third party came out after a recommendation of an external review of SAT activities, including INDABA, which is owned by SAT. A panel appointed by me made the recommendation to rope in an international partner.” He stated they will rope in a third party partner for INDABA 2017 only if “we find the right partner with the right terms to enhance it as a trade show.”
