Indaba 2011 is proving a successful show for Zimbabwean tourism, with stakeholders reporting that they have sealed a number of deals. The development has raised hopes that the country’s tourism sector is on the road to recovery after years in the wilderness.

According ZBC News reported on Sunday, more than 27 Zimbabwean private and public sector tourism stakeholders said this year’s tourism fair in Durban, South Africa, marks a change in the country’s tourism sector.

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive, Karikoga Kaseke (pictured above) said it is clear that Zimbabwe has made a strong come back to the market as the second best tourism destination in the region after South Africa.

Wild Zambezi Operator, Ms Sally Wynn, Cresta Hospitality representative, Rusununguko Tairoodza and Khanondo Safaris and Tours representative, Forward Mutero among other operators all agreed that the Zimbabwe stand at the Indaba is filled with international buyers from around the world.

He also told ZBC News that Zimbabwe’s goal at Indaba this year is to increase its market share globally, increase the number of foreign and domestic tourist arrivals, as well as increase the tourism’s contribution to GDP and to create jobs in the country.

This year’s Indaba, which runs from the 7th to the 11th, was officially opened on Friday by the South African Tourism Minister, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk under the theme “Playing globally, winning locally” – a theme that aims to promote inclusive growth, job creation as well as marketing Africa’s tourism products as a region and not as individual countries.