Africa Travel Indaba reinforces tourism sector's economic impact
The direct economic impact of Africa’s Travel Indaba on Durban’s GDP is estimated at R574 million, with direct spending totalling more than R232 million, highlighting the substantial economic benefits.
Zinto Khanyile representing Vukari-art business which is based Inanda, drew tourists attention with his traditional attire which resembled that of the late amaZulu King Shaka ka Senzangakhona, at Africa's Travel Indaba held from May 13 to 15 at the Durban ICC.
Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers
THE economic activities spurred by Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, from event infrastructure and logistics to accommodation, restaurants and local transport services, have significantly surpassed initial projections.
The direct economic impact of Africa’s Travel Indaba on Durban’s GDP is estimated at R574 million, with direct spending totalling more than R232 million, highlighting the substantial economic benefits.
Additionally, the event created over 2 000 jobs, particularly for the youth and local communities, with an anticipated household income contribution exceeding R140 million.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, KZN Tourism Board Chair Sbusiso Ndebele, KZN Tourism Acting CEO and Film Authority Sibusiso Gumbi, and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs Rev. Musa Zondi at Africa's Travel Indaba at the Durban ICC.
Image: Picture: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers
Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, themed ‘Unlimited Africa’, hosted more than 9 967 attendees, marking an impressive 7.4% increase, compared to 9 280 delegates who attended in 2024. The event attracted 1 348 exhibitors and 1 037 buyers, with both exhibitor and international buyer numbers being the highest recorded in the past four years.
A total of 27 African countries participated, including new entrants from Chad, St Helena and Burkina Faso.
The Indaba was officially opened by His Excellency Paul Mashatile, South Africa's Deputy President and Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism.
Other stakeholders in attendance were Thembisile Sehloho, Chief Marketing Officer of South African Tourism, Sibusiso Gumbi, acting Chief Executive Officer of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, Winile Mntungwa, Deputy Head of Durban Tourism and Sandile Makhanya, acting Marketing and Communications Executive of Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.(Durban ICC).
Kgomotso Pooe, the founder of Sowetoo, a tuk tuk hop on and off service that provides tours in Soweto, at Africa's Travel Indaba.
Image: ZamaNdosi Cele
They addressed the media on Friday, May 15, at the wrap-up of Africa's Travel Indaba.
Sehlolo said they were exceptionally proud to have once again delivered the premier showcase of the African continent’s diverse tourism products and experiences.
“This year, we cemented Africa’s Travel Indaba’s position as a proudly Pan African event with a notable increase in the number of African countries participating. This success is a direct result of powerful collaboration with all our partners. The significant enthusiasm and business conducted reflect the robust growth and immense potential of the African tourism sector under the banner of 'Unlimited Africa' " said Sehloho.
Mntungwa said, “The economic ripple effect was felt far beyond the city centre, benefitting township and rural tourism enterprises- both formal and informal, including hospitality businesses in areas that hosted or serviced delegates through pre and post-tours and local services.
"This highlights how large events can stimulate broader economic activity, empowering local communities and promoting sustainable development across diverse regions."
Gumbi expressed his confidence in the enduring partnership between South African Tourism, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, the City of Durban and the Durban ICC.
“I am pleased to say that KwaZulu-Natal has hosted another very successful Africa’s Travel Indaba with a record number of delegates, international buyers and airlines attending this year. As Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Film Authority, we supported 26 emerging tourism businesses who exhibited at our stand and had the opportunity to network with buyers from Africa.”
He added that his organisation signed key MOUs with eSwatini Tourism and Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier conservation Area Joint Marketing Agreement. This is part of the organisation programmes to grow the Africa market for KZN. They have had key engagements with a number of strategic partners such as Club and airlines that will help us grow our footprint globally.
Makhanya said Africa’s Travel Indaba was undeniably a premier event.
"As the ICC, we are deeply committed to ensuring that this trade event showcases Africa to the world and contributes significantly and sustainably to our local economy. This year, we continued our initiatives to involve students from Durban University of Technology and local culinary talents, providing them with invaluable experience and opportunities within the event,” he said.
Nationally, the Department of Tourism, together with various provincial tourism authorities demonstrated their commitment to fostering an inclusive sector by supporting 85 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to participate.
Furthermore, all provinces actively participated, supporting various SMMEs from their respective regions and granting them crucial access to the diverse array of international and local buyers attending the trade show.
South African Tourism also hosted a sustainability village, providing free exhibition space to small businesses. Minister de Lille during the Indaba had reiterated the ambitious targets of the Department’s five-year Tourism Growth Partnership Plan.
These included growing total tourism employment from approximately 1.84 million jobs in 2024 to 2.5 million jobs, increasing domestic spend by 25%, growing tourism’s GDP contribution from 8.8% in 2024 to 10% and welcoming an extra million international air arrivals annually.
South Africa's Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille speaking at Africa's Travel Indaba.
Image: Tumi Pakies/Independent Newspapers
The Minister also spotlighted South African Tourism’s new global brand campaign, “South Africa awaits – Come Find Your Joy!”.
Deputy President Mashatile, in his opening address, championed the ‘Unlimited Africa’ theme as a bold declaration of Africa's promise. He highlighted that travel and tourism contributed 6.8% to Africa’s GDP in 2023, with projections indicating a rise to 10.4% by 2030 and for South Africa, tourism currently contributes 8.9% to GDP, supporting 1.68 million jobs, with an ambitious target to grow this to 2.2 million jobs by 2030.