The vibrant city of Durban has once again proven why it’s a fitting stage for one of the continent’s most powerful tourism showcases. Held from 13 to 15 May 2025 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Africa’s Travel Indaba officially opened its doors with a bold message to the world: Africa is ready — and open — for global tourism business.
Under the theme Unlimited Africa, this year’s edition brings together more than 1,300 exhibitors from 27 African nations, including first-time participants from Chad, St Helena and Burkina Faso. Over 1,200 vetted international buyers from 55 source markets are in attendance, confirming Indaba’s reputation as a premier Pan-African platform for investment, collaboration and storytelling.
Tourism ministers call for unity and open skies
At the heart of the event was the African Ministers’ Roundtable, where key leaders from across the continent gathered to forge a collective vision for tourism growth. Hosted by South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, the panel featured tourism leaders from Angola, Eswatini, Mozambique and Zambia.
Their message was clear: collaboration must take precedence over competition.
“We are not here to compete. We are here to collaborate,” said Eswatini’s Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini. His sentiment was echoed by Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, who called for regional cohesion, visa-free travel, and the strengthening of existing air travel hubs like Johannesburg, Nairobi and Addis Ababa.
Mozambique’s Secretary of State for Tourism, Fredson Bacar, highlighted regional partnerships like the ZIMOZA Transfrontier Park, while Angola’s Minister of Tourism, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, emphasised the need for action, including cross-border tour packaging and visa reforms.
“Young people from Africa don’t understand why they cannot travel from Cape to Cairo without a visa,” he said, confirming Angola’s plans to introduce e-visas and improved connectivity by 2028.
South Africa outlines bold tourism goals
In her opening remarks, Minister de Lille unveiled ambitious growth targets for South Africa’s tourism industry under the Department of Tourism’s new Growth Partnership Plan. Goals include increasing international arrivals by one million per year, boosting domestic tourism spend by 25 per cent, and creating up to 2.5 million tourism jobs by 2030.
South Africa’s newly launched global brand campaign, South Africa awaits – Come Find Your Joy, was also introduced as a heartfelt invitation to experience the country through its people, landscapes and vibrant culture.
Indaba 2025 opens with optimism and action
The event officially opened with a keynote from South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, who described tourism as a powerful engine of inclusive growth.
“Our theme, Unlimited Africa, is not just a statement — it’s a declaration of Africa’s promise and possibilities,” he said.
“We must show the world that Africa is not only ready for business — we are open, united and ambitious.”
As the ceremonial bell rang out across the convention centre, the next chapter of African tourism was set in motion. Over three days, delegates will connect through structured meetings, cultural showcases, educational sessions and strategic conversations — all designed to shift perceptions, unlock opportunity, and build a future rooted in collaboration.
Africa is no longer waiting to be discovered. It’s leading the way — confidently, creatively and collectively.
