The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, as the venue continues to grow in significance to tourism in South Africa. The venue has become a central player in the domestic MICE market over the past two decades.

Qatar Airways has launched new services between Doha and Durban, offering passengers the opportunity to experience another idyllic subtropical destination. The four-times-weekly service to Durban further complements the airline’s existing daily flights to Cape Town and double daily flights to Johannesburg, and is an expansion of the airline’s operations in South Africa.

The cities of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg have formally joined forces to simultaneously address the substantive global shift toward urban tourism and the pressures being felt by their respective visitor industries.The three year Memorandum of Understanding between the cities – signed today at INDABA 2012 - will result in joint marketing and development programs,  aimed at establishing the urban dimension of South Africa’s visitor brand and generating demand specifically for each city.

Durban will play host to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from today for the next two weeks. ICC Durban – which will host the event – has been nominated as the World’s Leading Meeting & Conference Centre by the World Travel Awards.

Durban will host to a number of matches at this summer’s World Cup, including one semi-final. BTN looks at the city’s sport tourism credentials, including the attractions and opportunties for business and leisure travellers alike.

Perry Moodley, Acting CEO, Durban Tourism, interviewed by BTN at Meetings Africa 2009.