That's a Wrap! | Indaba 24': Insights & Opportunities

Hot off the block from the latest Africa Travel Indaba 2024, hosted in Durban, South Africa, the CiMSO Group returns triumphant with keen insights, invaluable opportunities, and an inside scoop on the latest and greatest trends of the South African tourism industry. But before we dig into the sights and sounds of our most recent Indaba 24′, let’s take a moment to recognise the continuation of the miraculous bounce-back of the South African tourism industry after the devastation of the COVID-19 lockdown.

StatsSA reported that January to March 2024 saw a 15.4% increase in International Arrivals compared to the same period in 2023. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille felt “encouraged” by the growth and hopeful for even more as the year continued.

At CiMSO, we feel a little more than encouraged. Indaba 24′ had an undisputed air of positivity and collaboration. From every meeting to every presentation, every business card exchanged to every quick chat and catch-up with faces new and old, we at CiMSO are more than confident that the South African tourism industry looks set to break even greater growth records in 2024.

The CiMSO team at Indaba: (From left to right) Ricky Ressa (CSS – Reseller), Johan Marais (CiMSO Director of Sales and Marketing), Tom Davidson (CiMSO Sales and Marketing Executive), and James Sharkey (KEY Computers – Reseller).

A Legacy of Presence | From 2002 to 2024

We’ve attended the Africa Travel Indaba consistently since 2002, and in the past 24 years of attending, we’ve learned two incredible lessons. The first – is consistency. The tech industry is one of the most turbulent in the world. In an industry where new software companies open and close every day, nothing builds trust and a sense of reliability like consistently being present, visible and active in the hospitality ecosystem. The second lesson is fluidity – capitalising on new market trends and demand but retaining the core values and practises that made us shine in the first place.

CiMSO began in 1989, and in the past 35 years, it’s grown from a humble text-based reservations program (INNkeeper) to a comprehensive suite of solutions. Many incredible tech companies have appeared since 1989, though few have survived to see 2024. Think of how many fundamental computing innovations we’ve experienced since then – Graphical User Interfaces, public access to the World Wide Web, mobile computing, Wi-Fi, cloud computing, and AI and machine learning. With each innovation, a new challenge, opportunity, and feature in the INNkeeper suite.

There and Back Again

It began in 2002 – with a sparkling white CRT monitor, two square metres of exhibition space and the help of an exceptional ally, Mr Chris Kotze, also known as ‘Mr. INNkeeper’ for all the buzz he’d help generate around the suite of solutions. Featured prominently on the monitor is Witwater Game Reserve, one of the first clients achieved through collaboration at Indaba.

Featured above: The first CiMSO exhibit at the Africa Travel Indaba in 2000, and Mr. Chris Kotze (also known as Mr. INNkeeper).

Indaba 24′ | Opportunities Abound

With our diaries brimming with leads, our calendars marked with meetings for the foreseeable future and the excitement and possibilities of Indaba 24′ now firmly within our memory, we look forward to the opportunities that lie before us.

We are committed to the industry, the greater ecosystem, and our clients. We are leading the charge in digital transformation and elevating your operations to new heights through our seamlessly integrated suite of solutions.

Featured above (from the top right, clockwise): Leigh Myles from Profitroom with Johan Marais and Tom Davidson from CiMSO, Florentina Heger from Grootbos with Tom Davidson, Johan Marais presenting the CiMSO Suite, and a snapshot of the CiMSO exhibit.

Contact Us

CiMSO supports clients transitioning from fragmented legacy software systems to integrated ERP solutions. CiMSO also manages the successful deployment of new methods in compliance with their ISO90003 Quality Management Systems and PRINCE II project management methodologies.

Don’t hesitate to contact one of our offices or Value Added Reseller for more information on CiMSO’s Integrated ERP Software Suites for Hotels, Lodges, Resorts, Clubs, Timeshare, and Leasing management.