Ramaphosa Opens Africa's Travel Indaba, Calls Tourism a Continental Development Instrument
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened the 2026 Africa's Travel Indaba in Durban on 12 May, describing tourism as far more than a leisure industry and calling on the continent to recognise it as a primary economic and developmental driver. "Tourism must be seen for what it is - a major economic driver as it contributes billions of dollars annually to many African economies," Ramaphosa said, addressing delegates at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. South Africa's tourism sector currently accounts for nearly one million direct jobs, with the President noting that approximately one in every 18 workers is directly employed in the industry.
Ramaphosa also pointed to strong momentum in South Africa's inbound tourism performance, revealing that the country welcomed 10.5 million international visitors in 2025 - a figure he described as a clear sign of renewed global interest in the destination. The Indaba, one of Africa's largest tourism trade events, serves as a platform for showcasing the continent's tourism products to international buyers, investors, and industry leaders. This year's edition has drawn record participation, with 210 first-time qualified buyers attending from markets including Australia, Brazil, India, and Japan, alongside a record 93 ATTA members.
Source: SABC News
