For the past 23 years South African Tourism (SAT) has hosted Tourism INDABA in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The event was staged at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre from 10-12 May 2014. During this event most of the major role players in the tourism industry met to showcase their products and used this platform for business networking. A number of product launches, activities, meetings, presentations and promotions were organised for the delegates. Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) hosted three companies as co-exhibitors over these three days at their Tourism INDABA stand. The investment promotion agency, mandated to promote trade and investment for the province of KwaZulu-Natal fielded many queries relating to this. TIKZN's prime 60 sqm exhibition space was allocated next to some of the major role players in the KwaZulu-Natal tourism industry. The event provided an opportunity for TIKZN to promote tourism specific packaged investment opportunities based in the province. In the previous exhibitions TIKZN afforded some of their clients an opportunity to showcase their projects. This year TIKZN offered the same to organizations such as Mangwanani the Original African Day Spa, Royal Thonga Safari Lodge and Shayamanzi Houseboats. This was a great opportunity for these companies to maximise brand awareness, establish new contacts with decision makers in the public and private sectors and introduce new products and services to the travel and tourism community. Prince Hlengiwe Wilfred Tembe of the Royal Thonga Safari Lodge said, 'The experience at Tourism INDABA has allowed me to exchange ideas with fellow exhibitors and has created a wider network for my business. There are so many other facets within the tourism industry to explore. One can definitely experience this through Tourism INDABA.' Peggy Adonis, Marketing and Sales Manager of Mangwanani the Original African Day Spa said that, 'Being a nationally based company, Tourism INDABA allowed us to target international clientele, thereby creating greater brand awareness for the organization.' Theirs was an interactive exhibition with therapists providing hand, foot and neck massage to onsite visitors. Founded in 2002, the Spa has developed its own uniquely South African signature range of products catering for Relaxation and Spa Therapies. Mangwanani's main goal is to uplift rural women and not necessarily employ and use qualified therapists, therefore allowing previously disadvantaged women from local communities, to be empowered by their natural and inherent abilities. Royal Thonga Safari Lodge is a 4 star game lodge situated in the Tembe Elephant Park, a Big 5 game reserve based in Northern Kwazulu-Natal. Guests can look forward to a unique experience as the lodge is one of the very few situated in a sand forest. The lodge places strong emphasis on responsible tourism and strives to ensure the protection of Africa's spectacular natural heritage in a manner that is beneficial to the people that inhabit the land. The new lodge celebrates traditional Zulu Culture, customs and pastoral way of life. On board Shayamanzi Houseboat, guests the opportunity to enjoy incredible game and bird viewing from the comfort and safety of a luxury boat. This, coupled with being the only destination in South Africa where guests can bait the feisty tiger fish, makes for a truly Lake Kariba inspired experience. Roger Blevin, MD of Shayamanzi Houseboats and Director of NUMZ Adventure Island explained, 'Tourism INDABA provided excellent opportunities with big tourism groups and tour operators based nationally and internationally. Business linkages were created and our business networks for both companies were expanded. Co-exhibiting with Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal was definitely worth my while.'   ends