President Cyril Ramaphosa today officially opened Africa’s Travel Indaba and the 2026 trade floor in Durban, positioning tourism as a central pillar of Africa’s economic growth, integration and global competitiveness.
The opening ceremony at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre marked the formal start of one of the continent’s most influential tourism and business travel platforms, following Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) on Monday, which framed key conversations around MICE, digitalisation, sports tourism and inclusive growth.
Addressing ministers, tourism leaders, exhibitors, buyers and media from across Africa and international markets, President Ramaphosa described tourism as “a living expression of who we are as a people” and a powerful driver of jobs, investment and continental connectivity.
“Last year, South Africa welcomed 10.5 million international visitors to our shores, a clear sign that the world is rediscovering our country with renewed enthusiasm,” the President said.
“It is significant that three-quarters of international arrivals come from the SADC region. This tells us something important – Africans are choosing Africa.”
Reassurance to Africa as Indaba opens
The opening of Africa’s Travel Indaba comes a day after President Ramaphosa publicly condemned recent acts of violence directed at foreign nationals, stressing that such incidents do not reflect government policy or the values of South African society.
“These are the acts of opportunists who are exploiting legitimate grievances under the false guise of community activism,” he said in a national address on Monday.
“Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, regardless of who the perpetrators or victims are.”
The reassurance was widely viewed as significant for tourism and business travel confidence, as Africa’s Travel Indaba brings together thousands of decision-makers assessing destinations for leisure, conferences, incentives and major events.
“There is no place in South Africa for xenophobia, intolerance or violence,” the President reiterated at the Indaba, reaffirming the country’s commitment to African solidarity, mobility and people-to-people exchange.
Tourism growth, African integration and mobility
President Ramaphosa used the opening to outline South Africa’s tourism priorities within a broader continental framework, highlighting progress on visa reform, air connectivity and regional integration.
He confirmed that South Africa is working with neighbouring states to advance the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, aimed at enabling seamless cross-border travel, alongside one-stop border posts and integrated regional itineraries.
“When Africans travel within Africa, we strengthen our economies, deepen our cultural ties and build a more integrated continent,” he said.
The President also linked tourism growth to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, positioning tourism as both an economic and political connector across the continent.
De Lille: Growth, investment and MICE confidence
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille described Africa’s Travel Indaba as a catalyst for growth rather than recovery, noting that the tourism sector contributed 4.9 per cent to South Africa’s GDP and supported 954,000 direct jobs by 2024.
“With a record-breaking 10.5 million international arrivals in 2025, we are no longer speaking about recovery – we are speaking about growth,” De Lille said.
She highlighted major tourism and infrastructure investments signalling investor confidence, including the R24 billion expansion of the V&A Waterfront, R10.5 billion into Winelands Airport, and the R2.1 billion Club Med Beach & Safari Resort in KwaZulu-Natal.
“These are demonstrations of confidence in South Africa’s tourism growth prospects,” she said.
On business events, De Lille confirmed that MICE remains a strategic priority and a critical job creator. In the 2025/26 financial year, South Africa submitted 100 international MICE bids and secured 52, reinforcing confidence in the country’s world-class convention and events infrastructure.
She added that South Africa will host the SADC Heads of State Summit in Durban later this year, followed by a special World Economic Forum meeting and the 2027 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Indaba’s growing economic impact
Africa’s Travel Indaba itself continues to deliver measurable economic value. Last year’s edition attracted around 10,000 delegates and more than 1,300 exhibitors, generating R246.8 million in direct economic activity and contributing over R610 million to South Africa’s GDP, while supporting more than 1,100 jobs.
This year’s event brings together over 1,100 exhibitors and close to 1,000 hosted buyers, alongside airlines, tourism authorities, MICE planners and media from across Africa and global markets.
De Lille confirmed that the government is preparing to revamp Africa’s Travel Indaba from 2027, inviting greater private sector participation, sponsorship and creative input to ensure the event’s long-term sustainability.
Beyond traditional destinations
Both President Ramaphosa and Minister De Lille emphasised the importance of diversifying tourism offerings beyond traditional hubs.
Recent developments cited included the upgraded Cape Agulhas Lighthouse precinct, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre in the Free State’s Golden Gate Highlands National Park, and new cultural and heritage attractions in Durban.
“These increases in tourism figures are not merely of statistical interest,” President Ramaphosa said.
“They represent families supported, small businesses revived and communities that are being uplifted.”
Africa not waiting, Africa leading
As the trade floor officially opened and negotiations began, the tone set at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 was one of confidence, capability and continental ambition.
“Pan-Africanism is not only a political philosophy,” President Ramaphosa said. “It is a driver of economic progress. It is the foundation of our shared prosperity.”
Africa’s Travel Indaba continues through Thursday, with high-level dialogues on connectivity, aviation, digitalisation, sports tourism, culture, film and destination marketing shaping conversations on the future of African tourism.
