Indaba 2025 Wraps Up – A Quiet Year
Durban’s premier travel exhibition, Indaba, finished this week with many longtime exhibitors saying it felt unusually subdued. The hall was less crowded than in previous years, and the buzz that usually fills the aisles was noticeably softer.
Fewer International Guests
Maria, a safari operator who has showcased her tours at Indaba for 14 years, told IOL that the drop in foreign visitors was striking. “We’ve seen a huge decline in international tourists and exhibitors,” she said. She blamed the ongoing war and soaring airfares for keeping many overseas travelers away.
Domestic Tourism Surges
Even though the international side slowed, local interest spiked. Delegates noted a clear increase in South African and pan‑African businesses at the show, and many reported higher spending at Durban’s restaurants, hotels and attractions.
Voices from the Trade Show
Derryck Meyers, owner of the popular steakhouse Butcher Boys, observed more diners from Umhlanga and Florida Road than in past years. “People are choosing to stay within South Africa because travelling abroad has become too expensive,” he explained.
Local Eateries See More Diners
Restaurants across the city reported that the impact of the domestic uptick was better than last year. With tourism contributing about 4.9 % to South Africa’s GDP and supporting roughly 954,000 direct jobs, the shift toward local travel is seen as a vital boost for the economy.
Luxury Train’s Shift to Local Market
Even high‑end operators are rethinking their approach. Exhibitors from South Africa’s iconic Blue Train said they are now promoting packages aimed at wealthy domestic travelers. Their “special offer” for a Pretoria‑to‑Cape Town journey runs until the end of July at R20,343—still far above what most South Africans can afford.
Affordability Debate Among South Africans
The price gap sparked a frank conversation among locals. Sara, a Durban resident, pointed out that many South Africans cannot afford a safari, a Cape Town getaway, or a Kruger National Park trip without saving for years. “Operators price their experiences for overseas tourists, leaving locals out,” she said. She urged businesses to lower rates and value the home market, noting that it’s often cheaper to fly abroad than to travel within the country.
Looking Ahead
As delegates, buyers and tourism stakeholders said goodbye to Durban and Indaba, there was a shared hope that the industry will adapt. By tapping into the growing domestic appetite and re‑evaluating pricing strategies, South Africa’s tourism sector could turn this quiet year into a stepping stone for more inclusive, sustainable growth.
