Tourism Minister calls for global investment to unlock South Africa's tourism potential

Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has called on global investors to seize the country’s “immense tourism potential” and help transform the sector into a driver of jobs, growth and inclusive development.

Delivering the opening address at the inaugural G20 Tourism Investment Summit in Cape Town on Wednesday, De Lille unveiled eight flagship, bankable projects worth nearly R1 billion in investment-ready opportunities, ranging from the God’s Window Skywalk in Mpumalanga to the Hole in the Wall Resort in the Eastern Cape.

The God’s Window Skywalk is looking for R200 million investment and the Hole in the Wall Resort requires R141m.

"These are projects from both the public and private sector, with strong return on investment and high community impact. And this is just a fraction of what lies in our national pipeline, which is rich, diverse, and growing. We stand here not only as a nation of immense tourism potential, but also as a gateway to Africa," De Lille said.

"Our theme, ‘G20 Tourism Investment for Jobs, Growth and Transformation’, reminds us this is not just about business. This is about livelihoods. This is about reshaping South Africa and positioning Africa as a global tourism powerhouse. Together, through regional collaboration, enabling policies, and smart infrastructure, we can achieve this vision." 

She highlighted recent reforms to public-private partnership regulations that now allow for flexible financing models — from design-build-operate partnerships to crowdfunding — aimed at unlocking infrastructure growth.

"These changes allow us to embrace models from Design-Build-Operate partnerships to blended finance and even crowdfunding. I call on you, our investors in this room and those joining us online, to bring forward your ideas, your models, and your innovations. Let us build tourism infrastructure that not only attracts visitors but uplifts communities and creates jobs," she said.

De Lille also welcomed the launch of UN Tourism’s “Doing Business in South Africa Guidelines”, a tool designed to provide clarity and confidence for investors, alongside the announcement of 100 new scholarships to equip South Africa’s youth with demand-led tourism skills

Tourism already contributes 8.5% to South Africa’s GDP, with more than 880 000 visitors recorded in July alone, a 26% year-on-year increase.

“Behind these numbers are livelihoods, families, and communities,” De Lille noted.

Private sector confidence is rising, with major developments such as the V&A Waterfront’s R20bn Granger Bay precinct and ClubMed’s multi-billion-rand resort in KwaZulu-Natal.

The country is also pushing into sports tourism, including a bid for Formula 1 rights at Kyalami, hosting the LIV Golf tournament in 2026, and preparing for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

"We are also unlocking access to our destination. Following the launch of the Trusted Tour Operators Scheme in India and China, our Department of Home Affairs will soon, before the end of September roll out the Electronic Travel Authorisation system," De Lille said.

"This will digitalise and automate all short-stay visas, enabling secure and seamless travel for tourists across the globe." 

As part of its G20 commitments, South Africa will drive initiatives on AI innovation, tourism financing, resilience, and air connectivity.

“South Africa is a nation at work, and we are about action,” De Lille said. “Partner with us. Together, we can deliver a bold new chapter in tourism investment — for our country, for Africa, and for the world.”

BUSINESS REPORT