Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban has concluded for its 1,300 exhibitors from 27 African countries and 1,200 vetted international buyers from 55 global markets.
The exhibitors included first-time participants from Chad, St. Helena, and Burkina Faso, and a total of 297 unique tourism products.
As with previous events, the highlight of the trade show was the early marketing sessions where 45 tourism products took the opportunity to raise their profile, excellently MCed by Donovan Goliath.
Here are six key takeaways from Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, held in Durban from May 12–15:
- Cross-Border Collaboration: Forums promoted regional growth through collective marketing and shared tourism offerings. In reply to a question from Travel Extra’s Eoghan Corry, South African tourism minister Patricia de Lille said she expected rapid progress on the Single African Sky and shared visa regulations in 2025 after years of stagnation.
- Look up: The presence of 12 independent airlines and an Airline Pavilion underscored efforts to improve air access across Africa. For the time being, Africa remains the most difficult continent for airlines to fly and customers to access.
- Time to grow: Just 4pc of world tourism happens in Africa. The trade show theme of “Unlimited Africa” brought focus Africa’s vast and diverse tourism potential, showcasing over 290 unique tourism products from 26 African countries. It aimed to reshape narratives and promote authentic, meaningful travel experiences. Tourism minister Patricia de Lille said tourism within the continent had yet to unlock its vast potential.
- Significant Economic Impact: The 2024 Indaba generated approximately €11.6m in direct economic activity for Durban and €17.2m for KwaZulu-Natal, creating over 1,000 jobs. The 2025 edition is expected to further boost the local economy, with full occupancy in key hotels and increased demand for local cuisine and crafts.
- Robust Networking Opportunities: The Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) on May 12 facilitated collaboration and idea-sharing. The event hosted 1,200 exhibitors and 908 vetted international buyers from 55 global markets, with 7,430 confirmed business-to-business engagements.
- Focus on Technology and Innovation: Sessions explored AI and tech advancements to enhance the tourism customer journey. The event highlighted the need for proactive storytelling and sustainable practices to shape Africa’s tourism narrative.
- Support for SMMEs and Sustainability: The Indaba empowered 120 small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) through mentorship and global buyer access, funded by the Department of Tourism’s Market Access Support Programme. Sustainability was a key focus, aligning tourism growth with local development.
