Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, hosted by South African Tourism in Durban, was a major success, welcoming a record number of delegates, international buyers, and airlines/ Themed ‘Unlimited Africa’, the event featured businesses from 27 African countries, including first-time exhibitors from Chad, St Helena, and Burkina Faso.

Highlighting the show’s inclusive growth efforts, support from the National Department of Tourism and provincial authorities made it possible for 400 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) to participate. Additionally, South African Tourism hosted a sustainability village, giving free exhibition space to small businesses promoting arts and crafts.

Preliminary figures show over 9,990 attendees and more than 24,500 meetings. At the same time, the event was opened by South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, who championed the tourism sector’s vital role.

The tourism minister unveiled targets to grow employment to 2.5 million jobs, increase domestic spend by 25%, and add one million international arrivals annually over the next five years. She maintained: “Africa’s Travel Indaba is a catalyst for inclusive growth, job creation, and sustainable development, not only in South Africa but throughout Africa. Tourism remains a powerful economic driver.”

Indaba also featured key announcements on new airline routes, regional partnerships, and strategies to boost inbound travel and support local communities.

Industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable growth throughout the show, positioning Africa as a top-tier global tourism hub. The AirlinePros stand at the Airline Pavilion, hosted by SA Tourism, buzzed with energy as the team interacted with clients, partners across aviation, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Colleagues also enjoyed participating in SA Tourism’s various activities, including sunrise beach yoga and a 5km promenade run. “Aligned with the ‘Unlimited’ theme, we look forward to renewing friendships and forging new contacts at Indaba 2026,” concluded Dr. Robert Gray, AirlinePros South Africa’s Strategic Advisor.

The event began with a traditional bell-ringing ceremony at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC, symbolizing a new chapter for Africa’s tourism industry. For Durban, the conference contributed over R574 million in direct income and created more than 2,000 jobs, underscoring the sector’s significant impact.