By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened the 2026 Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban on 12 May, calling on the continent to recognise Tourism as a primary economic and developmental driver.
Africa’s Travel Indaba is the biggest tourism trade show on the continent, where hundreds of buyers and tourism businesses connect.
Representatives from over 20 African tourism authorities are attending for high level discussions on the promotion of travel and tourism among African countries.
Ramaphosa was addressing delegates at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
According to Statistics South Africa’s Tourism Satellite Account for South Africa report, in 2024, the tourism sector accounted for 953,981 direct jobs. This means 1 in 18 workers was directly employed in tourism.
The report further states that, in 2024 the tourism sector’s 4,9% contribution to GDP, surpasses the contribution of construction, agriculture and utilities.
South African Tourism (SAT) also hosted a sustainability village, providing free exhibition space to small businesses promoting arts and crafts.
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 generated R246.8 million in direct expenditure, with broader economic activity contributing R610.6 million to South Africa’s GDP. In addition, the event delivered R45.54 million in tax revenue, supporting public services and infrastructure development.
Ramaphosa said South Africa is working with neighbouring countries to advance the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, which would allow seamless travel across SADC member states.
“When Africans travel within Africa, it strengthens economies, deepens cultural ties and builds a more integrated continent,” he said.
Government is also expanding one-stop border posts and developing cross-border tourism itineraries aimed at showcasing the richness and diversity of the region. Ramaphosa emphasised the need to promote South Africa’s unique cultural, historical and natural attractions, saying he was encouraged by the growing response to this call.
Highlighting Durban’s evolving tourism landscape, the President noted that the City of eThekwini recently unveiled statues of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, adding two new attractions to the city’s tourism offering.
“This demonstrates the importance of expanding and diversifying our tourism offering, catering to a broad range of domestic and international travellers,” he said.
Ramaphosa stressed that rising tourism figures translate into real benefits for ordinary South Africans.
“The increases we have seen in tourism figures are not merely of statistical interest. They represent families supported, small businesses revived and communities that are being uplifted,” he said.
The President also hailed Africa’s Travel Indaba as one of the continent’s most influential tourism platforms. Last year’s event drew about 10 000 delegates and more than 1 300 exhibitors, showcasing the best of African tourism while contributing to local economic and social development.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said the city was proud to once again host the world.
“Tourism remains one of the most powerful tools for economic growth, job creation, and social inclusion,” Xaba said.
He noted that Africa’s Travel Indaba continues to unlock investment, partnerships and opportunities for communities across the continent. Durban, he said, is steadily positioning itself as Africa’s leading tourism and events destination through improved global connectivity and new airline routes linking the city to key domestic, regional and international markets.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille described tourism as an economic catalyst with life-changing impact.
“According to the recently released Statistics South Africa Satellite Account, by 2024 the tourism sector accounted for 954 000 direct jobs and contributed 4,9% to the country’s GDP. And with a record-breaking 10.5 million international arrivals in 2025, we are no longer speaking recovery – we are speaking growth,” De Lille said.
She said Cabinet’s approval of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan in 2025, co-created with the private sector, marked a major step towards diversifying South Africa’s tourism offerings.
De Lille pointed to significant tourism investments already underway, including the R24 billion expansion of the V&A Waterfront, the R10.5 billion investment into Winelands Airport and the R2.1 billion Club Med Beach & Safari resort in KwaZulu-Natal, set to open in July.