Durban Tourism head Phillip Sithole is fuming as he believes South African Tourism “used Durban” and the Tourism Indaba to market Cape Town.
The travel show ended at Durban’s Exhibition Centre on Monday. Sithole said SA Tourism trampled on most of the conditions stipulated in the contract it had with Durban Tourism.
He said Durban’s concerns had been raised with SA Tourism, but its grievances had been overlooked. Even the shortening of Indaba from four days to three had not been not discussed with Durban Tourism.
Sithole said: “It is bias towards the Western Cape. This is ambush marketing and they get support from SA Tourism.
Everything in the event, from the branding to the conference newspaper, it is about other cities, not Durban.”
SA Tourism spokeswoman Risuna Mayimele disputed this and said the mandate was to market the whole country.
Meanwhile, Uganda tour operators were treated to marketing drama when they came across Tanzania promotional material reading “MOUNTAIN GORILLAS, TANZANIA” at the Indaba exhibition.
“KILIMANJARO – UGANDA would also have the same impact”, suggested Timothy Kintu amidst mixed reactions.
Staff Writer