Indaba 2012 an eye-opener for NMBT

INDABA 2012 has set the tone for Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s planning for the remainder of the year and has confirmed the course for developing the Chinese, Indian and Russian markets.

Also, the celebrated launch of Route 67 has positioned the city as a site for the development of original, trend-setting tourism products.

“Tourism Indaba is one of those events where the whole industry is watching,” said Titus Chuene, NMBT marketing manager. “It is a place of learning, engaging, sharing and showcasing. So what better place to pursue new markets, showcase our city’s unique selling points and people?”

The themes for the Nelson Mandela Bay stand were Route 67, the city’s Top 10 Icons, Rugby 7’s and the AFCON Cup.
NMBT shared a stand with the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), two paying members and four Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality sponsored SMME’s as sharing exhibitors on the stand. The Boardwalk Conference Centre, Hotel and Spa representatives attended to share the plans currently underway that will give the city its first compact total conferencing solution. Eco Car Hire was also in attendance.

The EDRS sponsored four SMME’s trip to Indaba and included: Algoa Inn (Algoa Park) Zureen’s B&B (Uitenhage), Red Location Backpackers (New Brighton) and Ibhayi Lodge (Korsten).

Three major events that featured the city were the launch of Route 67, the annual Plathoender function organised by Noxolo Sume, co-owner of Jeya’s Jazz Tavern in New Brighton, and Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency’s launch of Eastern Cape Coastal Route. Nelson Mandela Bay features quite prominently on the latter through Algoa Bay, watersport, visiting cruise ships, the sardine run, dolphins, a wealth of whales and orcas, as well as Addo’s Elephant National Park’s Big 7 offering and their Colchester entrance.

The major outcomes of the Tourism Indaba have had an impact on NMBT. Chuene noted that they have identified ways in which their current trade plan can be fine-tuned to maximise results at future Indabas and other trade fairs.

“We are also developing a programme to add value to the SMME training provided by the ECPTA to maximize SMME’s positioning within the city’s marketing context,” said Chuene.

He also noted that NMBT would like to greater input pre-Indaba from its membership based to enhance participation.

Post-Indaba was almost as action-packed as the big event itself. South African Tourism included Chinese and Argentinian media in a post-Indaba tour to Nelson Mandela Bay.  The tour included two nights at the Radisson Hotel as well as a day visit to Shamwari Game Reserve.  NMBT organised a welcome at the hotel with a marimba band, dancers and interaction at the hotel on their arrival.