iSIMANGALISO REINFORCES ITS WORLD CLASS STATUS AT AFRICA’S TRAVEL INDABA 2025
23 May 2025
iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority once again took centre stage at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, walking away with the Platinum Award in the Green Stands Exhibitors Awards at a ceremony that took place on the 15th of May 2025, where entities and individuals were crowned. The Green Stand Awards, a highlight of the Indaba, celebrates exhibitors who lead the way in environmentally responsible design and communication. Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) took place over the course of 3 days between 13 to 15 May 2025 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, where representatives from iSimangaliso were present to showcase the best of what the Park has to offer.
Under this year’s powerful theme, Unlimited Africa, the Indaba invited the world to experience the continent’s vast tourism potential, innovation and resilience. iSimangaliso rose to the occasion with a display that echoed Africa’s boundless spirit and nature’s unmatched beauty. The CEO of iSimangaliso Mr. Sibusiso Bukhosini was also present to support the iSimangaliso delegates and acknowledged that, “platforms like Africa’s Travel Indaba provide the Entity a unique opportunity to engage with a broader audience that has a vested interest in the direction that the Park is taking, and as we move towards applying sustainable commercialisation practices, real-time feedback on ways to successfully manoeuvre the commercialisation space in light of global and local economic challenges is invaluable, and lights a fire within us as an Entity to continue to trailblaze in the biodiversity, conservation and tourism space, considering the fact that iSimangaliso Wetland Park is South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site
iSimangaliso managed to secure a Platinum Green Stand Award in the medium stand category which shows tremendous growth since first being awarded the Africa Travel Indaba Platinum award in the small stand category in 2023. “This award is a tribute to the spirit of iSimangaliso,” said Mr. Jabulani Ngubane, Executive Manager of Tourism and Marketing at iSimangaliso Wetland Park. “It recognises our unwavering commitment to conservation-led tourism, where every leaf, footprint and heartbeat matters. Our stand was not just a space, it was a living reflection of our promise to protect, preserve and promote one of the most extraordinary places on Earth!” This prestigious award, judged by industry experts under the Event Greening Forum (EGF) criteria, honours innovation, freshness, professionalism, use of natural resources, product knowledge and sustainable practices through eco-friendly design and materials.
iSimangaliso’s winning stand featured natural textures, reusable elements and interactive displays that brought the Park’s story to life: from its unique biodiversity to its inclusive approach to eco-tourism and community upliftment. iSimangaliso Marketing and Brand Manager, Ms Thandi Shabalala, had a lot to say about this accomplishment, stating “I am thrilled to be part of the winning team! It fills me with pride to have contributed to this huge achievement. From being awarded in the small stand category in 2023 to being awarded in the medium stand category in 2025, is a testament to our growth as an Entity and speaks to the mission of iSimangaliso Wetland Park which is, to be a World Heritage Site celebrated for its sustainable conservation practices, offering unparalleled tourist experiences and equitable sharing of benefits.”
Africa’s Travel Indaba is a leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism. It is one of the largest tourism marketing events in the continent, that creates a platform to share knowledge and gain insight on both local and global trends. Therefore, Durban was the place to be to for all stakeholders in the travel, tourism and business sector. Known for its vibrant mix of cultures, stunning beaches, and attractions, Durban is the third most populous city in South Africa and the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 boosted the city’s GDP by R574 million attributed to the 9,900 attendees, an improvement from the 9,280 attendees of the previous year. Among 1348 exhibitors from across the continent iSimangaliso stood out, not just for its breathtaking natural wonder, but for a trade stand that embodied the Park’s essence: wild, wise and wonderfully green. iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority looks forward to reaping the rewards of rubbing shoulders with like-minded visionaries who are stewards of sustainable tourism practices.
End
-End- Statement issued by iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority Media enquires: MLO: Mr. Bheki Manzini Call/WhatsApp: 060 533 2082 Email: