Indaba 2010 kicks of over the weekend, with over 2,000 exhibitors expected in Durban for the event.

Considered the primary trade event in Africa, Indaba is set to attract over 10,000 delegates during its four day run, with host Durban missing no opportunities when its comes to promoting its offering.

“We want to make sure Durban gets the maximum share of the visitors headed to South Africa for the upcoming World Cup,” explained acting Durban Tourism head Philip Sithole.

Durban’s stand at the event this year is a scaled down version of the iconic Moses Mabhida stadium, designed to showcase the city’s product offering to the all important tour operators.

One of the highlights in store is the launch of Durban’s new tourism trail on, set in the historically important Inanda area. A place that has deep national significance, Mahatma Gandhi previously lived there and developed his ideas of passive resistance in India.

As ever the welcoming host, the Durban is well prepared for the influx of visitors.

Commencing with a warm welcome from Durban Tourism at the city’s sparkling new King Shaka International Airport, visitors will find the city both laid back and businesslike, a reflection of its personality.

“It has to be the best Indaba ever,” added Mr Sithole.

“We have hosted this event very successfully for two decades and we really believe that Durban should be made the permanent home for Indaba.

“We are South Africa’s premier holiday destination, we have a proven track record for this event and it’s best practice internationally to keep events of this scale in one place.”

South African Tourism global manager Sugen Pillay talks about Indaba

FIFA World Cup 2010

With the football World Cup now just weeks away, Durban is also putting the finishing touches on its tourism information network.

One of the city’s innovations has been the development of a number of mobile information kiosks for the city. A prototype of the units will be fully functional and sited at Indaba for the duration of the event, situated between the ICC and the Durban Exhibition Centre.

This will be the first time that the units have been seen in public.

“As fully standalone kiosks, we will deploy the units to areas with maximum tourist footfall,” continued Mr Sithole.

“They will be in the Fan Park, at our major entertainment and dining hubs in the city, and at transport nodes.

“They can be easily moved if the there are areas of greater tourist demand.”

The brightly coloured lemon-yellow and blue units, which are clearly visible from a considerable distance, will be one of the backbones of the city’s tourism information network. “

The units are fully solar powered and will be operational for 18 hours a day during the World Cup.

Trained staffers will provide personalised information and assistance and official brochures will be available in all the FIFA languages.

“With all this, we are confident that visitors to the 2010 soccer World Cup will have a most enjoyable and busy stay in Durban,” he said.

Indaba 2010 takes place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre from May 8th-11th.