President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, officially open and address Africa’s Travel Indaba at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

This significant event serves as a crucial platform for various stakeholders within the African tourism industry.

This collective mandate is to foster the growth and development of tourism across the African continent.

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.

The Indaba provides an opportunity for buyers from around the world to purchase a variety of tourism products available in South Africa and across the continent.

The Presidency has underscored the vital role of tourism as a critical driver of investment and job creation.

This holds true for the eThekwini Municipality, the wider province of KwaZulu-Natal, and indeed the entire nation of South Africa.

Tourism is consistently identified as a key economic accelerator for the country, significantly contributing to the creation of employment, the attraction of crucial investments, and the promotion of inclusive economic growth.

Statistical data from South Africa's Tourism Satellite Account reveals the sector's substantial impact, accounting for 953,981 direct jobs by 2024.

Furthermore, tourism contributed an impressive 4.9% to the country's economy, a figure that surpasses the pre-pandemic contribution of 3.7% recorded in 2019.

Currently, the tourism sector supports approximately 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs nationwide, highlighting its expansive reach and importance.

The preceding Africa's Travel Indaba in 2025 demonstrated a robust economic contribution, generating R246.8 million in direct expenditure.

This, in turn, contributed R610.6 million to South Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supported 1,104 jobs.

The event also achieved an impressive hotel occupancy rate of 97%, which powerfully illustrates the pivotal role that major tourism events.

This plays in stimulating economic activity, bolstering local businesses, and enhancing South Africa's global competitiveness as a premier travel destination. The current Indaba is slated to run from May 12 to 14, 2026.