President Cyril Ramaphosa will open Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban, highlighting tourism as a key driver of jobs, investment and inclusive economic growth across South Africa and the wider African continent.
Image: SITHUNYELWE
President Cyril Ramaphosa will officially open Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban, as government positions tourism as a major driver of economic growth and job creation.
He is expected to address the opening of the three-day tourism trade event at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.
The Africa Travel Indaba will run from 12 to 14 May 2026 and will be held under the theme, “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy”.
“The Indaba is a platform for leaders of the African tourism industry, investors, media, international tour operators, bookers and government leaders, whose mandate is to grow and develop tourism on the continent,” said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
He said the gathering provided buyers from around the world with an opportunity to purchase a variety of tourism products available in South Africa and across the continent.
Magwenya added that Africa’s biggest tourism trade gathering also allowed industry leaders to deliberate on “new policies, emerging trends, and the opportunities and threats facing the tourism sector from both African and global perspectives”.
He said tourism continued to play a critical role in driving investment and job creation for the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal and the broader South African economy.
According to the Presidency, tourism remains one of South Africa’s key economic drivers, contributing significantly to job creation, investment attraction and inclusive economic growth.
Magwenya said Statistics South Africa’s Tourism Satellite Account showed that the sector accounted for 953 981 direct jobs by 2024 and contributed 4.9% to the country’s economy, surpassing the pre-pandemic contribution of 3.7% recorded in 2019.
“Tourism currently sustains approximately 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs across the country,” he said.
Magwenya further said Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 generated R246.8 million in direct expenditure, contributed R610.6 million to South Africa’s GDP and supported 1 104 jobs.
He said the event also recorded hotel occupancy of 97%, “highlighting the important role major tourism events play in stimulating economic activity, supporting local businesses, and promoting South Africa’s global competitiveness as a destination”.
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