JOHANNESBURG, April 23 -- South Africa is expected to see some economic boost next month as the Africa Travel Indaba 2024 is set to be held in the coastal city of Durban, a government official said on Tuesday.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Fish Mahlalela said at a media launch that this year's Africa Travel Indaba will be held in Durban on May 13-16. The event has confirmed 990 exhibitors from 26 African countries.

A post-event survey revealed that Africa's Travel Indaba 2023 had a total economic contribution of 1.2 billion South African rand (about 63 million U.S. dollars), which included a direct contribution of more than 400 million rand to the South African economy, said Mahlalela.

Despite the subdued economic environment, the country is optimistic that the 2024 edition will match or exceed these figures and help create more job opportunities, he said.

Africa's Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating market access for the vast array of African leisure tourism products.

"Indaba" comes from the Zulu language, widely spoken in South Africa, and means a meeting to discuss a serious topic.

  - Xinhua