Durban Launches Tourism Month as City Hosts SADC Summit and Secures Travel Indaba Through 2030
Durban has launched South Africa's Tourism Month 2026, with Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille officiating the event as the city simultaneously hosts the 46th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit on 16 to 17 August. The month runs under the theme "Growing South Africa's Tourism Sector in the Digital Era", beginning 1 September and culminating in World Tourism Day on 27 September. The timing positions Durban to leverage the significant regional and diplomatic activity in the city to showcase its tourism offering to domestic and international markets.
The city has also been confirmed as the host of Africa's Travel Indaba from 2026 to 2030, following a national selection process that recognised its infrastructure, track record and strategic role in South Africa's tourism economy. As part of the SADC delegates' Destination Durban experience, visiting ministers attended the KwaMuhle Museum and travelled to uMlazi for a township experience at Max's Lifestyle Village - a programme designed to highlight the breadth of the city's offering, from heritage and culture to its coastal and township economy assets. The confluence of the SADC summit, Tourism Month and the long-term Indaba hosting commitment reinforces Durban's growing profile as a leading business events and leisure tourism destination on the continent.
Source: Inside Metros
