KZN Tourism and Film said that Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) held last week at the Durban ICC was a successful event for the economy and the tourism industry.
Image: GCIS
KZN Tourism and Film Authority has said that Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) delivered a major economic and tourism boost for KwaZulu-Natal, reinforcing Durban’s status as one of Africa’s leading tourism and business events destinations.
Held last week in Durban, ATI attracted strong participation from global tourism buyers, investors and delegates, with provincial tourism authorities describing the event as a significant success for destination marketing, investment promotion and enterprise development.
The KZN Tourism and Film Authority said the province had once again demonstrated why Durban remains the natural home of Africa’s Travel Indaba after securing hosting rights for the event from 2026 until 2030.
“Securing hosting rights from 2026 to 2030 reflects strong confidence in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal as a premier tourism and business events destination. Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 delivered significant tourism trade, investment and economic value for KwaZulu-Natal.”
The Authority said that the platform strengthened destination marketing, expanded tourism trade relationships and reinforced tourism’s role in supporting jobs, hospitality, aviation and the broader provincial economy.
“KZN Tourism and Film successfully hosted and supported 15 tourism SMMEs during Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026.”
The Authority added that the SMMEs received direct exposure to international buyers, investors and tourism trade networks from key global markets.
“The province showcased eight tourism routes and destination experiences from across KwaZulu-Natal. Route organisations helped drive visibility for district tourism economies while expanding tourism spread beyond traditional tourism hubs.”
The Authority said that KwaZulu-Natal attracted strong engagement from international buyers and delegates across Asia, Europe, the Americas and the African continent.
“Strong participation from Chinese, Malaysian and broader Asian markets reflected growing demand for KwaZulu-Natal’s cultural, coastal and experiential tourism offering. Approximately 400 delegates attended KwaZulu-Natal’s stakeholder networking engagement during Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026. The province leaves the event with expanded destination visibility, stronger international market relationships and renewed momentum for tourism growth.”
Sibusiso Gumbi, interim CEO of KZN Tourism and Film, said the ATI has once again reinforced KwaZulu-Natal’s position as the natural home of Africa’s premier tourism trade platform and a leading gateway into the continent’s tourism economy.
“We have proved beyond doubt that Africa’s Travel Indaba belongs here in KwaZulu-Natal. The focus now is to build on the lessons and momentum of this year’s event while ensuring stronger participation from all African states so that the platform truly reflects the full strength and potential of Africa’s tourism economy.”
Gumbi added that KwaZulu-Natal’s presence at this year’s ATI reflected a deliberate focus on positioning tourism as a driver of investment, enterprise development and long-term economic growth.
“Through the showcasing of eight tourism routes, support for 15 tourism SMMEs and activations such as the Sustainability Village and Taste of KZN, the province aligned itself with growing global demand for authentic, sustainable and experience-driven tourism.”
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) said that it had an extremely successful experience at this year’s ATI, with strong interest shown by both domestic and international hosted buyers in the KZN South Coast destination and its diverse tourism and investment offerings.
CEO of SCTIE, Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, said the trade show created valuable opportunities for networking, destination marketing and future partnerships.
“We were very encouraged by the level of engagement received throughout Africa’s Travel Indaba. There was significant interest from hosted buyers, both locally and internationally, which confirms the growing appeal of the KZN South Coast as a tourism and investment destination.”
Sibiya added that platforms such as Indaba are critical in creating market access, strengthening partnerships and unlocking economic opportunities for our region.
“SCTIE welcomed the announcement that Africa’s Travel Indaba will remain in Durban for the next four years.”
Sibiya concluded that this is excellent news for KwaZulu-Natal and for regional destinations such as the South Coast.
“Hosting Indaba in Durban brings major economic spin-offs, increased visitor movement and greater exposure for our tourism products and experiences. We are excited about the opportunities this continued partnership will create for the province and the broader tourism sector.”
BUSINESS REPORT