May 14 (Xinhua) -- Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) 2024 kicked off on May 14 in South Africa’s coastal city of Durban. Delegates from African countries and other global regions will discuss the development and collaborative prospects of Africa's tourism industry. On the opening day of the Indaba, Patricia de Lille, South African Minister of Tourism, stated that African countries should engage in constructive discussions and reach relevant agreements on tourism development to eliminate travel barriers within the African region. She stated that South Africa has expanded its e-visa system to over 30 countries. Africa's Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism exhibitions in Africa. This Indaba is held under the theme "Unlimited Africa" and will end on May 16 and is expected to attract approximately 9,000 participants from various sectors. Patricia de Lille introduced that this year's Indaba has attracted over 1,200 exhibitors from 26 African countries and more than 1,100 buyers from 55 countries and regions, showcasing over 340 different tourism products from various African countries.
From May 13 to 16, over 1,200 exhibitors from 26 African countries and more than 1,100 buyers from 55 countries and regions worldwide gathered in Durban, South Africa, for attending Africa's Travel Indaba 2024. South African Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, stated at the opening ceremony of the Indaba that through the joint efforts of the South African government and the private sector, as well as measures such as the Tourism Equity Fund incentives, streamlined visa processes, and enhanced tourism safety and security guarantees, the Country’s tourism industry has achieved a robust recovery. From January to March 2024, international arrivals reached 2.4 million, with an increase of 15.4% over 2023, and over 11,000 tourists from China were entertained. In 2023, South Africa's tourism sector provided 1.3 million jobs, contributing 6.8% to GDP. Africa's Travel Indaba is the largest leisure trade show in Africa, with this year’s theme being "Unlimited Africa". This ATI called on African countries to break down their border restrictions, share diverse cultures and landscapes, and provide unlimited opportunities for tourism exploration and innovation.
During the May Day holiday, the outbound travel market for Chinese tourists was booming. In addition to traditional popular destinations such as Southeast Asia and Europe, "Travel to Africa" is also a growing wanderlust phenomenon. More Chinese tourists are now seen near the Pyramids of Egypt and on the Kenyan savannah. Not only Chinese tourists but also international tourists favor Africa. The first World Tourism Barometer of the year released by the UNWTO shows that Africa received 66.4 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, and Sub-Saharan Africa received 39.6 million international tourist arrivals. Analysts note that Africa's robust tourism growth stems from multiple recovery measures by African countries, injecting new momentum into regional economic development. African Safari Attracting Tourists from Multiple Countries This May Day holiday, Ms. Chen from Zhejiang, China, took her children on a nature-immersive trip to Kenya. "My child has always enjoyed observing wildlife. Watching lions hunt on Kenya's vast grasslands taught us nature's laws more vividly than books ever could," said Ms. Chen, describing how they followed experienced guides for safe and intimate wildlife encounters in the reserve—an utterly novel experience. Although the May Day holiday is not the peak season for witnessing the Great Migration of African wildlife, a considerable number of Chinese tourists still choose to visit Kenya, immersing themselves in the local natural ecosystems across ...