The Tourism and Events Management, Hospitality and Sport Management Departments of the CPUT Business Faculty, alongside industry players from an international and national level, recently attended INDABA 2009 at the Albert Lithuli Convention Centre in Durban.
The event, which is owned by South African Tourism, ran from 9 to 12 May 2009.
The INDABA 2009 organisers divided the exhibition areas as well as the surrounding parking areas and roads, into the various provinces within South Africa. CPUT was given the opportunity to exhibit all its offerings within the Western Cape tent.
Staff attending the event got to speak to the various industry players, both large and small, informing them about all new developments on offer, from full time, to part time and short courses, which would benefit many of their current employees and contribute to the increase in service offered within the aligned industries.
The event was also a good opportunity for strengthening bonds with many of the organisations where students are sent to complete their experiential training, and due to the increase in student numbers for 2009 many new placements were arranged allowing for 100% placement rate within the Faculty. The event also allowed for meetings and discussions with various industry players with regards to experiential learning, where both parties were given the opportunity to discuss various issues and thereafter improve the placement and training process for all students at the University.
INDABA 2009 was also the venue for the South African 2010 FIFA Organising Committee to launch their international ad campaign for the World Cup.
All attendees got to see the advertisement for the first time in the spectacular opening ceremony attended also by various FIFA delegates, Provincial and National tourism leaders, as well as the organising leader himself, Danny Jordaan.
A breathtaking display of vocal and artistic talent was displayed by the various performers after which all attendees gave loud applause at the proudly South African ad campaign that would go across the world to represent our country, South Africa .
“This INDABA has proven to be an excellent platform for CPUT,” said Luke van Rensberg, Marketing and Functions Co-ordinator for the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant.
“It encourages industry to become actively involved with the educational side of training and forces involvement with preparing learners to lead the various aspects within Tourism South Africa one day,” he said.
By the Cape Town Hotel School
Photo: Members of the Tourism and Events Management, Hospitality and Sport Management Departments staff the CPUT exhibit at INDABA 2009.
Written by CPUT News
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