Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

The most talked about trade travel show, Indaba at Durban's Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, has come to an end with organisers describing it as the biggest and most exciting event of its kind.

This year's focus was on the state of readiness for the Fifa 2010 World Cup.

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal chief executive Ndabo Khoza said this year's event was special in particular because it gave the province a perspective of how ready it was to host the World Cup.

He said what was important about hosting an event such as Indaba was to maintain and sustain existing relations.

"We feel confident of the progress in the tourism industry. During the show we managed to have an overview of the achievements for 2010 and we know where we stand," he said.

Some of the province's top entrepreneurs in the accommodation and tour operating sectors were honoured.

Brenda Roopai won the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award and a R1000 prize from SA Tourism.

Slo Shange, a young single woman who runs a bed-and- breakfast in Umhlanga, said it was only her second exhibition at Indaba, but she had made contact with people she never thought she would even shake hands with.

"I have learnt a lot, most of which I am going to apply to my bed-and-breakfast facility.

"I have seen that there are more than enough opportunities to grow," said Shange.