Wednesday, May 14, 2025

South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to global tourism leadership by successfully hosting the second G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting in , from . The event brought together senior tourism officials, international delegates, and policy experts under the theme of inclusive and sustainable global tourism cooperation.

As the , South Africa used this high-level platform to demonstrate its ability to shape tourism innovation, sustainability, and cooperation across global economies. The meeting focused on aligning key tourism priorities with G20-wide development goals while amplifying Africa’s voice in international policy.

The meeting commenced with a warm welcome from South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, , who emphasized the historic significance of the occasion. “The G20 summit is more than just an event – it is a statement that Africa is ready to take its rightful place in global economic leadership. It demonstrates our proven ability to host safe, world-class events on this scale,” she told the audience of international tourism leaders.

The event marks South Africa’s rising influence in the global travel economy and positions the continent as an emerging force in sustainable and resilient tourism development.

, the sessions facilitated detailed dialogue among G20 member states, invited guest countries, and leading international organizations. Delegates reviewed progress from the first virtual TWG meeting held on and advanced discussions on four tourism policy priorities originally introduced at that session.

South Africa proposed and refined during the TWG, each supported by actionable deliverables to align with the G20’s broader economic goals:

Each priority is designed to advance the through the tourism sector and promote South-South cooperation by sharing innovations from across Africa and the developing world.

Throughout the three-day meeting, G20 delegates and invited observers engaged in knowledge exchange, policy sharing, and case study discussions. Member countries presented their own innovations and strategies on AI in tourism, sustainable funding models, and efforts to improve cross-border travel infrastructure.

There was to support South Africa’s proposed action plans and an agreement to refine key deliverables in the lead-up to the final TWG meeting. Delegates shared their best practices and regional insights, providing a rich foundation for collaborative implementation of the policy agenda.

The will be held in from , culminating in the on , also in Mpumalanga. These sessions will finalize all outputs from the TWG and inform the Ministerial Declaration that shapes G20’s long-term tourism priorities.

With the focus on “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”, South Africa’s presidency has positioned tourism as a transformative tool for inclusive growth. The TWG forms one of under South Africa’s leadership and serves as a key contributor to global tourism policy direction.

This year’s TWG has amplified South Africa’s role as a , able to guide critical conversations around tourism recovery, climate resilience, and technology-driven development.

With its , world-class MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) capabilities, and strong diplomatic networks, South Africa showcased not only its ability to host international events but also to .

The immediate benefits for South Africa’s tourism sector include:

The Department of Tourism, through its Chief Director of Communications Ms. Tasneem Carrim, emphasized the national pride and strategic opportunity tied to South Africa’s G20 hosting. Stakeholders across the public and private tourism ecosystem have been encouraged to follow the progress of the TWG and prepare to contribute to the final action plans to be ratified in September.

Conclusion

As South Africa advances toward the final G20 Tourism Ministerial in September 2025, its leadership in this global platform is already delivering long-term strategic value. By championing innovation, sustainable investment, connectivity, and resilience, South Africa is not only shaping the agenda but redefining Africa’s influence on the future of global tourism.

For the global travel industry, the second TWG meeting reinforced the power of collaboration and shared responsibility in building a more inclusive, connected, and sustainable tourism future.