Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille says Africa's Travel Indaba will shine a global spotlight on the continent's beauty, while calling for unity and tolerance among Africans ahead of the showcase in Durban.
Image: Supplied
Durban’s hosting of Africa’s Travel Indaba, the continent’s premier tourism trade event, at the International Convention Centre (ICC), provides South Africa’s tourism sector with an opportunity to spotlight the country’s flourishing leisure industry offerings.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to officially open the event.
The event’s theme for 2026 is “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy”, in keeping with continental efforts to enhance tourism’s contribution to development, including initiatives linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Considered Africa’s largest and most influential tourism trade show, the Indaba unites buyers, exhibitors, media, and tourism stakeholders from across the continent and beyond, making the event a crucial platform for pro
moting intra-African trade and positioning Africa as a competitive global travel destination.
At last week’s launch event, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille reiterated the vital role the sector plays in driving economic growth, saying: “Tourism policy is economic policy.”
A media tour commenced in Johannesburg, where participants, including stakeholders from Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania, and across South Africa, gathered at OR Tambo International Airport’s Premier Hotel.
Their road trip began on Thursday and headed south towards the Free State before ending in Durban. Along the route, participants experienced breathtaking scenery, including diverse flora and fauna, mountains, rivers, and tourism facilities.
DAILY NEWS