Almost 30 industry players commented on the letter from a UK-based buyer published in our Tuesday edition where he asked what was happening at Indaba. Most of the responses were constructive from people directly involved.
We publish their comments below. SA Tourism Update will make sure all these comments are forwarded to the organisers and the associations affected.
However, before we do it, we give readers the further opportunity to give their input. Please add your comment in a constructive way.
“Let us strengthen these channels (industry associations unified under the TBCSA) for effective communication with spheres of government instead of soapboxing,” commented Nils Heckscher, of the Winchester Mansions, Cape Town.
How would you change things? Do you think there should be an Indaba about Indaba? Please mention whether you are an overseas-based buyer, SA-based buyer, SA supplier or other.We know that several associations have already taken note of the response below so make sure you take this opportunity (preferably not anonymously).
Comments so far...
Agreed, Indaba has lost the plot
I couldn't agree with you more. I battled to find anyone in the ICC who genuinely had something different to offer, was not flogging the same horse as the last 5 years or who was genuinely motivated and excited about their product and could differentiate it from those around them. The DEC was a joke; one government sponsored stand after the next, each with so little tourism knowledge that I hoped that no international buyers visited them for fear of the damage that they could do to those who actually had product to sell. The sparkle seems to have left the South African tourism industry. Anonymous.
It should be an African show
I firmly believe it should be an African show - I think if it was not many people would simply not attend. That said it does need a serious facelift.
I must agree that many exhibitors should not be there but have tax payers money to spend and it is good fun. Fortunately we were very busy with preset appointments however I did not see the stand opposite us have one meeting and they were hardly looking for business.
Africa needs Indaba but it is becoming very stale and needs some thought put into it. As much as I like Durban it might be time to shake things up and move on.Anonymous.
Agree completely!
Agree Completely! John Gore.
Indaba
Max is so right, The stands that were pumping were SADAC which of course is now Pan African and includes non SADAC countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda (a far sighted and excellent move 2 years ago) and the very large trade association marquee outside DEC ATTA which i think represented countries across Africa and has established itself as a leader over many years. Interestingly some of the outside exhibitors were a hive of activity too, Africa Albida from Zimbabwe and &Beyond.This goes to show that it is those companies who are well organised in marketing,probably exhibit at shows all over the world and make appointments that win. SAT should appoint new international organisers immediately who understand that model who can pump life into Indaba, bringing buyers from across the world to a dynamic showcase, hosted by South Africa, which represents Pan African tourism..... a truly "All Africa" show. If they do not, then the big players will move elsewhere to a country that is prepared to host such an event (there are rumours) and Indaba will revert to a local get together of bed and breakfasts and game lodges, the Micky Mouse Country Club set! Anonymous.
I have to agree
This was my 12th Indaba and for the first time ever the DEC and surrounding areas felt like a car dealership showroom. Why have vehicles displayed? Our focus should be on generating business, properties are closing down, we all realise business is slow despite the numbers provided by the tourism minister and new products should be designed and marketed, yet all we got to do was see old faces, empty stands (I counted at least 8 in the ICC) and many more empty stands in the DEC. Our focus this year should have been the domestic market, opening up to the sales force concentrating on selling locally yet this was not an option. The business matchmaking function should have had an option "new product" with a short description, yet how many of us used this matchmaking function? I was fortunate to have pre-arranged 44 meetings with companies in our market focus but as mentioned above walking around it seemed more a expensive coffee shop feel with very little business. I was also informed by a number of attendees that they are in real doubt if they should attend next year. The cost to me for Indaba amounted to nearly R 50 000.00 and I did not have a stand this year (previous ten years had a stand in the ICC). Using this budget I could travel to a large number of the local exhibitors at least 4 times a year, meet with them in their offices, have the attention of a large number of consultants and managers and focus on business. Or I could visit them twice a year and then have enough budget to complete an International roadshow visiting clients interested in our market!
Yes I am of the opinion that our Indaba has become stale and no longer a real marketing option. Why not have it planned for three days (Friday and Saturday for business) and then open on Sundays with a large area dedicated to brochures and product marketing for the public? Have it more as a speed dating concept with fixed agreed meetings, less plomp (it just costs money) and more market focussed and driven. It will be a lot more affordable and I am sure many more participants will attend.
I manage a 292 bed 3* safari camp inside the Kruger National Park and this year was approached by more than 30 small bed and breakfast operations and other same market operations asking me to display their brochures at our safari camp or asking for business referrals - this should not happen, guidance must be given to these operators, this will only happen with a fixed matchmaking - speed dating concept and agreed meetings! Wynand Du Toit.
Interesting points, missed conclusion
Max makes many valid points. But just because the SADAC tent was pumping, doesn't mean that Indaba should only be a show for South African products. Rather, it means that the South African tourism industry needs to up its game. Our neighbours to the north are klapping us on price, product, service. They must be, else they wouldn't have been as busy as they were.
On costs and product mix:
I do agree that SA Tourism needs to find a more affordable contractor. Even the prices of sponsorships have gone through the sky-high roof of the handsome ICC. Under Kagiso's management, one of my clients found it useful to insert information CDs into the media bags at a cost of about R6,000 a year (excluding the cost of production and printing, of course). We thought that was good value - about R10 a bag.
Now, under organisers Witches and Wizards, that price has gone to about R20, 000.
Funny how there was no product information in the bags this year - Just SA Tourism and Indaba information. And I'd hate to know what exhibitors like AVIS were paying.
Road Accident Fund you say? They were there? Cool! I have a client who sells anti-clockwise screwdrivers and left handed spanners. I'll be SURE to have him exhibit in 2013. I don't think there'll be any problem finding stand space. Inspiring new ways? I think not. Martin Hatchuel.
Indaba is over in Durban!
Definitely I agree! Indaba needs to move to a new place for pick up the attention of new consumers! Year by year, seeing the same place with the same developments and the same people with the same stands and some small modifications turns boring!
The only one increase in profit is the organisers who charge a lot of money and take advantage of the desperation of small lodges and operators who try to captivate the attention of potential buyers. Like everything in life, Indaba needs a renovation and renovation means new location and revamp. Marco Nicolai.
Out of touch with world tourism developments?
Is this one of the most awesome paradoxes, an African liberation governments travel & tourism show welcomes the travel " world " to meet...same old, same old - product diametrically opposed and needed within their product needs - ineffective reception and event management all wrapped up in a four day (one percent of an entire year) fest of tired smiles and aziko understanding of what the international buyer is looking for in today & tomorrows travel world. South Africa is losing the battle to demand their attention, to swing the big numbers and to sell itself on a platform that these good folk can sell to their respective home countries. Indaba is a South African governmental run show where the governing parameters do not reflect the guide lines of private business (cost to reward ratio, time management) and as such two “forces” meet under one event in a cacophony of unrelated, non-communicative noise that has become irrelevant to an ever increasing degree. The travel & tourism industry within sub Saharan Africa has attracted governments interest for all the right reasons ( poverty alleviation, employment creation, incremental investment ) and each of these polly magicians rides on our backs to maximise what THEY perceive to be the way forward ( increased entrance fees, airport taxes, entry visa fees etc. ). In essence, Indaba is stale, presenting much of the wrong mix of product and fast losing its value to international buyers. Question is, does our lot give a rat’s arse to develop a sustainable, brilliant and innovative travel & tourism product in today’s market? Colin J. Fryer, Centre Stage Travel, Cape Town.
Spot on Max
Having attended Indaba for the past 13 years, this was my first Indaba 'miss' for specifically the reasons Max raised in his letter. This year our Company went under an umbrella body in the ICC, whereas previously we were forced to exhibit in the DEC due to our Regional position (Limpopo). In the past couple of years, I have found that the local municipalities and local Government have virtually taken over the DEC, without ANY tourism credibility at all - it's is embarrassingly bad....locals selling Venda skirts spread out on the floor with badly marked homemade signs?? C'mon - this is a joke! Tourism schmoorism.....Surely the organisers can tell the difference between a dedicated role-player who can interact with an international delegate and someone riding the be government gravy train?? Can you honestly tell me that the Vhembe district municipality has an 'international marketing plan'....and as far the minions swarming around the local MEC's, I dont even want to comment.....A blatant waste of our money - and a VERY poor reflection of what the country has to offer...Time to reinvent the wheel people.Clare Girardin, Limpopo.
Frustrated small businesses to rethink Indaba
I wonder what the $$$ taxpayers contribution to Indaba was - with all the Provincial, Municipal. Parastatals etc gravy train hangers-on. It is SO expensive for a small business to attend Indaba even sharing a stand, even with the TEP handing out some crumbs...and then someone arrives wanting to sell ME something on my stand!! NOT I think! For the same price I could spend 2 weeks overseas direct marketing to our actual market! Anonymous.
How very sad but true
I attend Indaba each year as a South African buyer, however, I attend with one goal in mind… All my suppliers are under one roof on one weekend! Okay, I also look for new product, but as stated above that too is not easy to find.
One of my big gripes is that because I live in SA, I have to fork out R510 for the privilege of attending the show. Then, when I get ripped off by the food vendors who want R110 for some roast lamb and a roll (my other option was tripe and rice).
So my conclusion is that this is fast moving away from being an international show but rather a showcase of Africa and what it has to offer for all markets.
Maybe it needs to be more than just SA Tourism who puts on this show as its understandable that the focus will then mostly be on RSA. If the regional tourist board got involved in sponsoring maybe it could become a global show on Africa. David Wood.
Restructure but not just SA dedicated products
Max has some valid points. However I do not agree that it should be a show for SA products only as we benefit hugely every year from the neighbouring country products which we market extensively. However I agree totally when it comes to municipality booths and the likes. Its a total and absolute waste of tax payers money and in the 15 years that I have been attending Indaba I have NEVER acquired any sensibly information out of a municipal booth. I also find the last day - open day to me a waste of time and total chaos. I am not sure if it benefits the students however it certainly costs the stand holders dearly in brochures!!!Anonymous.
Please act now
We had a great show but I really felt for many of the products - having spoken to them I think many will not return next year. Unless something changes we can expect the number of exhibitors to drop a lot next year.
I think the only reason many tour operators go is to meet the African products and of course the party (although this year was a lot less social)
Some Ideas
- New host city (love Durban but I think the time has come for a change)
- Provide better value for exhibitors
- Big focus bringing in buyers
- The ROI on the big DMO stands must be close to non-existent (find better ways to spend the money)
- Perhaps Thursday, Friday trade and Saturday, Sunday allow retail - this will support the focus on domestic travel
Indaba is very important to the Industry so before just copying what has been done for the last 20 odd years maybe you should sit down with people in the industry that actually understand it and try breathe some life into the show.
We have awesome destinations; awesome products and now we just need a better way of displaying them. Anonymous.
So do you think SAT will “hear” us?
Having read all of these comments, I could not agree more!!! Let us remember a couple of things though, Durban pays MILLIONS to SAT to host Indaba, and has NO say on how it gets managed, who is appointed as service providers etc etc.
At what stage will SAT, and the Minister hear what the industry has been trying to tell them for years! It is not Business as Usual. We are not getting the millions of tourists that the Minister keeps referring to, and SAT are not being innovative. How many SAT staff members are currently in Frankfurt for IMEX at the moment? I would guess the average is 6 to 7 people? How many staff members flew into Durban and stayed for the week? 10, 12, 15 people??And we wonder where the actual marketing budget goes? Anonymous.
Stop the circus
It is quite clear that exhibitors and delegates are no longer willing or able to sponsor all of the fanfare and pageantry that surrounds Indaba in its current form. Revert Indaba back to a business show where all exhibitors display their products in a smaller / cheaper / more business like format - to a larger group of vetted buyers ( both international and local ) that are present by invitation only after being proposed by the industry and that are then hosted to some extent ( at least give them a decent lunch !). This would allow more real tourism product to exhibit and for those exhibitors to conduct productive meetings with interested buyers. Associations, provinces, municipalities etc. should be restricted to having "information counters" only. Ken Hill.
The great tourism talk-fest
After 15 years of attending Indaba, this is the 3rd year that I have not attended. The show seems to be moving more and more to an industry conference where government and various organisations can report back, present awards and lobby support for initiatives. (And have very well attended cocktail parties). The tour operator - product interaction now just seems to be an annoying side-show.
I am horrified (and somewhat amused, I have to confess) that the Road Accident Fund was there. Indaba was already on the downward slope when it started allowing the likes of software providers and academic institutions to have stands, but this really takes the cake.A giant rethink is required. Adrienne Harris, Harvest Tourism.
Indaba 2012
I do agree with all those who commented before me. Having attended Indaba for many years, this year was a complete waste of our company resources (money, time and effort).
Let’s look at the Online Diary which is supposed to help us meet new clients for new business. Unlike the previous years, all the "supposed buyers" never pitched up at the show to honour their meetings. Where were they? Gallivanting on some pre-organized tours which SAT set to take place at the same time as the show??? Can someone tell me if this is meant to be a joke, because I do not find it to be funny at all?
How can SAT rip us off like this? Why did we pay for the stands? To come and sit around watching our own promo video? A business minded organiser does not arrange for tours during the show, but does that as pre and post, so that we can all benefit from all the huge and unexplainable fees you charge us just to exhibit at the show.
My suggestion would be that SAT takes a good look in the mirror..., charge reasonable prices, change the show to 3 days, have 2 business days where we can conclude deals without any disruptions from your tours, put all your business seminars before and after show times and on day 3, which will be open to public so that we too can attend them after the 2 days of business. What’s the point of having these seminars during the show when exhibitors can't attend them hoping a single buyer will walk past and conclude a deal? Then maybe, and I say maybe, you can win us back. Trish Mambinge.
It’s about the money and not the tourism!
I could not agree more with the other respondents to Max's letter and Max. I have been attending Indaba for the past 13 years and have consistently seen a decline in the numbers attending and the number and quality of the products exhibiting. To me it seems like a money making factory for the organizers. After speaking with a number of exhibitors it was agreed that the reason for the decline of quality exhibitors is due to the ridiculous cost involved for a stand. We have taken a double corner stand at Indaba for the past 4 years and this year, just the floor space was R 48000. This did not include extra costs for getting power on the stand, sharing exhibitor costs, stand builder, furniture hire, staff accommodation and extras. It seems that the aim is to get the exhibitors to pay for the smallest requirements which increase the final profit. We have always tried to manage the costs but are now bordering on around R 120000 for the four day show (the last day was dead in any case). Not to mention the cost of the catering. I feel that the strong reason for the decline in quality visitors is due to the decline in quality exhibitors. This in my opinion is due to the exorbitant costs for exhibiting at the show. I feel sorry for those exhibitors who were hoping for passing trade to present to as this was very limited. We have had to take the strategy of pre-arranging our appointments two months in advance otherwise it would be a complete waste. As for the DEC there are a number of quality product exhibiting but unfortunately they are negatively affected but the provincial and municipal exhibitors, not to mention the car company's (still not sure why they were there). With the way things are going I will not be surprised if we will see Verimark exhibiting their products at the show to fill the gaps. I am sure that many international visitors would be interested in purchasing a potato peeler to take back home. With that said I would like to see a response from the organizers and SA Tourism. To many times these discussions start and the powers that be just seem to ignore everyone's concerns. I hope that something comes of this as we need Indaba but it needs to done correctly and it has to take everyone's requirements into account. Ryan Ashton.
One standard
Re the responsible consumers' choice, most NB is to keep it simple - a myriad different 'sister' organisations offering the same service in a country as small as ours is silly. Why should there be FTTSA, the Wilderness Foundation and Heritage all doing the same thing? This shouldn’t be about entrepreneurial opportunity - rather simply doing the right thing. And govt should lead it. In the absence of that, plaudits to FTTSA for putting the issue on the map so successfully. Anonymous.
Other trade shows
There is no doubt that our local trade shows are not growing, but declining. Look at the number of true international buyers at Meetings Africa. I do not think 160 (ish) buyers can be heralded as a success??
Why do the likes of WTM and ITB etc continue to grow year on year? I would suggest because actual business is concluded, and the shows attract quality buyers. These events are not about the parties, cocktails and awards, as much as the amount of contracts actually signed. Sharon Peetz.
Totally agree with all of you
As in int. buyer from Germany it was my 18th Indaba or so but this year I was also quite shocked. A lot of the S.A. products had moved from the DEC to the ICC under an umbrella company. The DEC was dead quiet!! Get rid of the small municipalities, that to me have no justification to be on such a show, other than creating expenses as they don't have a clue about tourism, take the empty spaces and move the SADC countries back into the DEC and just have the ICC, DEC and outdoor areas as exhibition space, which would give a lot more clearness to int. buyers. In previous years I actually enjoyed that one could find a lot of product around the provincial stands, which helped with the regional location of those. This year most product was in the ICC as part of an umbrella company or organisation, which makes it very hard to associate a product with a region when one walks through the aisles. I personally think that South Africa has to offer the same exciting products then the SADC countries, but their stands just focus on the 'essence' of their tourism products, whereas the S.A. product is partly lost within all the municipalities and spread all over the show and therefore often difficult to find.
Reduce INDABA in size and get back to the 'essence' of what it's about: tourism!
Speed marketing workshops: excellent concept I think, but the session I attended (Fair trade tourism) hardly had any int. audience. Pls. promote those workshops more actively! Anonymous.
Indaba- quo vadis?
As inbound tour operators we have attended 22 Indaba's but stopped exhibiting after 15 as we felt it was no longer cost effective for us. It's time the organisers had a HUGE re-think starting with what is the purpose of Indaba, who are we targeting, who is exhibiting and is any of this really attracting new buyers (both international and local)? It has become an exorbitantly expensive flag waving exercise. I have no problem with it always being held in Durban - WTM is always in London and ITB is always in Berlin - but the organisers do need to re-invent the show. While including the rest of Africa would make this an AFRICAN tourism exhibition, we need to be very clear about sharing the marketing cost with our competitors in other African countries. But the whole show needs a total make over, from the cost (why are South African buyers made to pay such a high entrance) and the food which is staggeringly overpriced and barely edible, to the exhibitors - Road Accident Fund - really! and obscure municipality stands manned by disinterested, uninformed people who haven't a clue about what tourism is about but as they're not paying to be there it really doesn't matter to them. It's time for the tourism products to give their input into how best to sell. It's time for the tourism industry as a whole to come up with new, innovative proposals to make this a cost effective exercise. Maybe it's time to make the whole thing a "virtual experience" which can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home!!!!!Anne Lawrance, Sakabula Safaris and Tours.
Ideas
I agree with the letter and all the comments. Seems like we are all venting here but this forum has a rather limited audience. Perhaps some of our key industry role players or the media (tourism update) can set up an interactive way for the industry's concerns to be heard and to reach the right ears: government, SAT, minister of tourism, witch & wizard, etc. A discussion resulting in a memorandum or petition of some kind, with our concerns, complaints, suggestions, ideas and improvements all in one document, signed by many? Otherwise all we do is talk but nothing changes (many of these concerns were also mentioned after last year's Indaba but very little has changed). There are many excellent ideas in the comments above. I have several more ideas of my own which would improve Indaba. We need an Indaba about how to fix Indaba. Witch & Wizard, the brew you have cooked up is terrible, costs too much, and there is very little magic to be seen. You still have the contract for 2013 but after that, we hope you'll be fired. The writing is on the wall. SAT needs to set limits for the events management contractor, in terms of minimum standards expected, rates they can charge visitors and exhibitors, marketing efforts to ensure decent attendance especially from international buyers, vetting and qualification of exhibitors and buyers, even quality and cost of food and beverage at the show. Anonymous.
Indaba needs a rethink
The comments about Indaba reflect the rising cost of this event and the question of value for exhibitors and buyers. That the organisers have felt it necessary to include 'Hotel Amenity Supplies' and the Road Accident Fund as exhibitors show a degree of desperation and perhaps we need to get back to basics. How about having the industry days on a Thursday and Friday (traditionally the first two days are 'busy') and then opening the show to the public as a holiday show for the weekend where packages and special domestic holiday specials could be presented. Domestic travellers and clients would benefit and the trade would be less unhappy. Anonymous.
The Indaba circus
So much justified negative feedback and input and yet the circus is allowed to continue!?
There appears to be no return on investment for small operators, or anyone else for that matter, but huge profits for the organizers and Government. The gravy train rolls on!
Come on guys lets stand together, protest in a non-violent and orderly manner and bring down the curtain. Jack Jordan.
Indaba 2012.
I agree with all of the above. I attended a feedback meeting this morning and the feeling is that SA Tourism has lost the plot and the focus of what Indaba should be about. They have the responsibility to source international buyers to visit the Indaba to assist business to sell their product to them not to source them and then spirit them away on trips in the middle of Indaba. If you looked at the shuttle schedule to the airport then you would find that the last shuttle was scheduled for Tuesday evening. No shuttles on Wednesday when we were all supposed to leave Durban. No wonder all the stalls were empty by 12 on Tuesday. This is my 14th Indaba and I can see the disintegration happening over the past few years. Bring back the focus which is tourism and employ marketers who know how to sell the product and not 'whose turn is it this year to go?' I do not have a problem with Durban but SA Tourism needs to sit down and really take note of remarks that have been aired by the professionals in tourism. Anonymous.
Is it not about business principles?
Why are simple business principles not applied; if it is not worth my while, I do not attend!? The fact that there are still so many exhibitors, who continue to exhibit year in year out, shows that this show still has relevance. I have exhibited for 16 years and will continue to do so, at all cost? No, but in principle yes. I am certain that an overwhelming majority agrees that some good research resulting in a serious make over is urgently needed. It is sad that there are so many anonymous comments, as we need to be heard as an industry that is committed and serious about constructive criticism and engagement. I like the comment about the INDABA on the INDABA, it is time to have such a meeting to exchange views and move forward together. This is where our various industry associations, unified under the TBCSA, play an important role. This role, in my view, is all too often underutilised. Let us strengthen these channels for effective communication with spheres of government instead of soapboxing, which makes us appear fragmented and divided. It is in all our interest for INDABA to again attract the right level of exhibitors and buyers. It is possible! Nils Hecksher.
How can we revamp?
I don't think there is an exhibitor that disagrees with any arguments set out above. At astronomical costs we had to try sell our products...but to who??? The quality of visitors is questionable, I met a number of 'international buyers' speaking Afrikaans fluently....and even a bigger number visitors presenting products! There is too much grey lines, should a visitor not be somebody that want to come and actually see product, and not steal from us paying a fortune to exhibit our product? The on-line diary was a huge frustration, buyers just ignored invitations...there is little respect from the buyers for exhibitors, in responding to invitations and pitching for meetings. I wonder if buyers have any idea of the cost involved, not only the stand, renting furniture, travel expenses, but also the time and resources going into preparing for the Show! I can only hope the organisers and SAT take note and have an extensive survey to ensure we resurrect the Biggest Show in Africa, and Inspiring us all again!!! Charmaine Beukes.
Lets hope SAT get the message
I wonder if the message will sink into the heads of our dear people at SAT? I somehow don't think so. Next year it will be same old same old. The only reason we had municipalities exhibiting at Indaba was to fill the massive spaces that were so evident because people couldn't be bothered with exhibiting anymore. Last year we all had the same gripes about Indaba and look what happened? Nothing. It just got worse. My question is this; who is going to take these comments and suggestions to SAT? Richard De La Rey.
Should be
My short comment is this debate is healthy and SAT can learn a lot from the people who are in fact their clientele. It is time there is new blood, breath of fresh air and reinvention of the real purpose why the industry needs the Indaba. If Indaba is beginning not to make sense, why do we think the WTMs & ITBs would make sense if we cannot make deals and create interest in our own country? Most of the time there is no real connection between SAT and the exhibitors. They all seem to be very busy all the time. Empty spaces in the DEC were evident! It means some industry players have taken a decision not to attend the Indaba this year? or the next? Estelle Mamaki Phoolo.
