Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu got matters off the ground at the 2026 African Travel Indaba at Durban's International Convention Centre.
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Deputy Tourism Minister Maggie Sotyu officially opened proceedings at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 with the Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) at Durban's International Convention Centre on Monday.
Convened during Africa Month, the event, which concludes on Thursday, serves as both a celebration of the continent’s unity and resilience and a strategic platform for discussions on the future of tourism across Africa.
“BONDay is therefore more than the opening of a programme; it is a celebration of Africa’s collective potential and a reminder that our continent’s future is strongest when we grow together,” said Sotyu.
She said the tourism sector, despite significant global shifts, continued to serve as one of Africa’s economic powerhouses by creating jobs, attracting investment, and acting as a catalyst for entrepreneurship.
“This year’s theme, ‘Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy’, is both an aspiration and a strategic call to action,” said Sotyu, adding that the continent was on the brink of a major tourism expansion phase.
According to UN Tourism Africa, the continent has been recognised as one of the fastest-growing tourism regions globally.
Sotyu said the shift from “recovery mode” to an expansion phase has relied heavily on collaboration, innovation, and a collective commitment to turning tourism into a shared continental success story.
She acknowledged the critical role played by communities, entrepreneurs, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the sector’s growth.
Citing World Bank statistics, Sotyu said tourism supported 357 million jobs worldwide in 2024, underscoring the sector’s capacity to create meaningful opportunities for local communities and businesses.
“My hope is that BONDay inspires us all to think about how we can help communities across our continent to see tourism not as a distant industry, but as a powerful local opportunity,” she said.
Sotyu said the goal was to uplift households and empower MSMEs through the belief that tourism can drive shared prosperity from the ground up.
“In a rapidly evolving world, innovation must lead.”
She also highlighted the transformative impact of digital platforms, particularly TikTok, on the travel industry, saying Africa should harness innovation and storytelling to improve global competitiveness while preserving cultural authenticity.
Sotyu further recognised the role of sport and culture, describing them as among Africa’s greatest tourism assets.
“Sport and culture do far more than entertain. They tell Africa’s story, strengthen our destination brands, and create jobs,” she said.
Africa’s Travel Indaba is positioned as more than just a trade show, but as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange, market access, and tourism growth across the continent.
DAILY NEWS