Times Of Swaziland: INNOVATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES AT INDABA

INNOVATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES AT INDABA
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 BY PHIWASE PHUNGWAYO  on 07/05/2019 03:18:00


DURBAN – Eswatini companies have learned new marketing strategies from
Africa’s Travel Indaba.
This was the response from representatives of hotels and companies which had
attended the event which was hosted at the Durban International Convention
Centre on the last day of the event.
It began on May 2 and ended on the 4th. Most companies attested to the fact that
they acquired new perspectives and strategies from the indaba’s exposure.
Networking
These included, but were not limited to, speed networking and online diary.
This was despite that the Republic of South Africa was underway with
preparations for their national elections.
Xolile Tsabedze, Sibane Hotel representative stated that they had learnt new
marketing strategies from other companies which were at the Indaba.
Tsabedze also affirmed that they had engaged with numerous buyers from as far as
Holland and China.
She highlighted that events such as these were essential in that they exposed
Eswatini businesses to global businesses that were doing well in the tourism
industry. Tsabedze said they learned a lot from them.
Interest
There were 19 companies which had attended the tourism occasion and most of them
expressed that they were satisfied with their buyers, who all came to the party
and showed interest in their services.
Royal Villas Marketing Manager Thandeka Dlamini said all their potential buyers
had come to them to enquire about their services.
“We are very pleased with our buyers who have seemed to grow from the previous
year.
She attributed this to the online diary which the hotel used to set up meetings
with potential buyers. Dlamini added that they had also met with their customers
who had supported them over the years.
The marketing manager stated that they engaged with them to hear their comments,
suggestions and recommendations on the services provided by the hotel.
Strengthen
She said this was done to strengthen and maintain the relationship between their
customers.
Meanwhile, Louigi Rossi, Happy Valley General Manager (GM) said, “There has
always been a meaningful impact from the Travel Indaba. I think that in the past
few years with the institution of the world travel market we have seen a less
crowded one; however still very positive in relation to consolidation of
relationships with the tour operators and foreign outbound travel agencies from
the African countries.”
He reiterated that they had acquired consolidation of business and relationships
with the existing companies that the hotel was already working with.
He also said they had also established new relationships with some up and coming
tour operators and travel agencies outside of South Africa.
Visit
He said this was because the African continent tourism had become more apparent
and there was less interest from the African people to go to Europe.
Rossi said they were keen to visit other African countries such as Namibia,
Botswana, Mozambique and Uganda among many more.
He said Eswatini was one of the countries which had been able to keep its
traditions intact; hence it had a promising and thriving future in the tourism
sector.
On the same breath, Moses Vilakati, Minister of Tourism, expressed his
appreciation for the success of the event not only on its own but for Eswatini
as a kingdom. He appreciated the collaboration between the countries that traded
their tourism packages.
Exhibited
“Over all, all the companies exhibited their services and expressed that they
were bought,” said Vilakati.
He further mentioned that some of the companies had lost their voices as a
result of the influx of tourists from around the world who came to ask about the
services Eswatini had to offer to visitors.
Vilakati encouraged companies in the tourism sectors which had not attended the
event not to miss it next year.
He said the country should begin preparing now by positioning itself to the
international market.