Selectour Congress opens in Cape Town as South Africa spotlights events momentum
South Africa has welcomed the Selectour Congress (network of independent travel agencies in France) to Cape Town, with Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille saying the country again proved its ability to host major global events following last week’s G20 Leaders’ Summit. She reported that this year’s confirmed international business events account for more than 16,000 delegates and about €20 million (R415 million) in immediate economic impact, with additional bids in progress potentially adding over €55 million (R1.1 billion) in value through 2031.
Latest Statistics South Africa data show 927,426 international arrivals in October 2025 – up 32% on October 2024 – taking year‑to‑date arrivals to 8.56 million versus 7.23 million a year earlier; more than 110,000 visitors were from France. De Lille highlighted travel facilitation via the Government of National Unity’s Electronic Travel Authorisation, set to expand early next year to India, China, Mexico and Indonesia, and flagged new product and platforms including Club Med’s first Southern Africa resort opening in KwaZulu‑Natal in 2026, Meetings Africa in Johannesburg in February 2026, Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban in May 2026, and sports tourism developments such as a LIV Golf event at Steyn City and the 2027 Cricket World
Source: South African Government
