By Fred Felton | May 7, 2026
The eThekwini Municipality is ready to
welcome thousands of delegates, exhibitors, and global tourism leaders for the
upcoming Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026, which will take place at the Inkosi
Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
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| MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Rev Musa Zondi, Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille and eThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, at the launch of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 held at the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal. | Photo: Supplied. |
The event happens from 11 to 14 May and
kicks off with a Business Opportunity Networking Day on 11 May, followed by
trade engagements over three days.
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 was officially
launched by Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, along with MEC for Economic
Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Rev Musa Zondi, and eThekwini
Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba. The launch was held on 4 May at the
Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal.
The theme for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026
is ‘Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s tourism economy’.
Africa’s premier tourism trade show brings
together exhibitors, buyers, and media from across the world to promote African
destinations and secure business partnerships.
The City will benefit significantly with
increased visitor numbers, boosted tourism spend, local business support, and
through job creation opportunities across many sectors which include
hospitality, retail and transport.
Mayor Xaba said the City’s strategic
location, well-developed infrastructure, and warm climate continue to position
Durban as a destination of choice, whether for business or leisure.
Durban is set to once again deliver a
successful edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba.
Minister de Lille announced that South
African President, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, will open the trade show
this year.
She noted that tourism is not merely a
sector, but a powerful economic lever capable of delivering immediate,
inclusive, and geographically distributed impact across the country.
MEC Zondi noted the current buyer
composition of the Indaba already shows strong value for the province and the
City with more than 700 buyers confirmed.
He said for this year the platform has
confirmed 600 exhibiting companies with 22 African countries participating.
All nine provinces of South Africa are
represented, as well as 191 independent micro, small, and medium enterprises.
‘’There will also be 840 hosted and
non-hosted buyers from applications across 71 countries, and 3 315
confirmed meetings taking place,’’ added MEC Zondi.
