Minister Patricia de Lille and tourism ministers from across Africa addressed media and stakeholders during Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban.
MInister De Lille and President Cyril Ramphosa positioned tourism as a central pillar of economic growth, job creation and continental integration under the theme Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy.
Ministers highlighted strong recovery with South Africa recording 10.5 million international visitors in 2025. They emphasised intra-African travel, the African Continental Free Trade Area and improved air connectivity as priorities. The event featured 999 buyers from 44 countries, 1,225 exhibitors and 18 airlines, with a strong focus on MICE tourism, sustainability, SME participation and inclusive growth.
Minister de Lille announced plans to revamp Africa’s Travel Indaba from 2027 and invited private sector partners and sponsors to contribute. Participants signed the Unlimited Africa Pledge to grow the continent’s tourism economy, tell African stories and build stronger regional collaboration.
