Organisers of Africa’s largest travel trade show, the Africa’s Travel Indaba, say this year’s strong turnout from both international and local delegates shows that the event continues to hold significant value and interest for the tourism sector.
The organisers addressed the media on the final day of the three-day event held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).
This year’s event attracted about 9 800 visitors, including more than 1 200 exhibitors from 22 African countries. The event also had 1 000 buyers representing 44 countries.
At #ATI2026, Minister Patricia de Lille led a powerful panel discussion on “Digitalisation for Our Tourism Growth “alongside Tourism leaders from Angola, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Participants included:
– Dr. Augusto Kalikemala – Secretary of State for Tourism, Ministry… pic.twitter.com/lkutiZTnMJ
— Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 (@travel_indaba) May 14, 2026
The last day of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 focused on securing final business deals, reflecting on key takeaways and celebrating the success of the three-day exhibition. The annual event, held at the Durban ICC, was officially opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday.
South African Tourism’s Corne Koch says the turnout reflects continued confidence in the event and highlights its importance as a platform for promoting tourism opportunities across the continent.
“We have figures compared to last year and as of yesterday we had 9 800 people attending the indaba for 2026. So, that is a fabulous number and that is on par to what we had last year, so that is the first point of call, to see how many people actually come through. Those would be visitors, exhibitors, buyers and media. So, it is a phenomenal number for us. It is also why the city has a direct economic impact from this event as well because you can imagine that all of those people have to stay somewhere. So. we’re very happy for that impact that this event also has a business impact not only a tourism impact, it is an event that is within the city, within the scope of things.”
Exhibitors who attended say the event trade show delivered positive outcomes, including new business deals and strategic partnerships.
One exhibitor says, “It’s been extremely positive with great excitement we have invited a couple of our clients to visit and we are of course waiting for their visit. It is finally getting to get back into track as it used to be in the olden days I’ve realised that most people are not aware of certain regions of Africa and I’ve discovered them at Indaba…”
“Yes it’s been a wonderful journey and opportunities are very large and is growth in terms of outsider and inbound visitors. We did make sure that we had the opportunity to catch all of that and being able to learn more it’s been such a great opportunity and great experience to network with people,” another one emphasises.
Buyers say they were spoilt for choice this year – citing the wide range of high-quality tourism products on offer. Some says Africa’s tourism sector is capable of meeting the expectations and preferences of the international market.
Participants included tourism boards, safari operators, hotels, and small businesses from across the continent.
Exhibitors reflect on the opportunities created through networking, marketing, and collaboration during the expo.
VIDEO | African countries discussed ways of collaborating within the sector:
Meanwhile, the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre says it is looking forward to hosting the Africa’s Travel Indaba for the remaining four years of their contract, noting that the event has made a significant contribution to job creation.
The year 2026 marked the first year of Durban’s secured five-year bid to host the Africa’s leading tourism trade show.
“Durban ICC is the home of Africa’s travel indaba. We are really excited that we could host this 2026 year again, here under the inspiring theme of unlimited Africa and we really do see the infinite opportunities that exist for all of us as Africans so that we can trade together, so that we can grow together this economy. This speaks directly to collectively doing things together and unlocking the potential and making sure that we have job creation, growing the economy. Inclusivity is important to us in the sustainable development across the continent,” says Durban ICC CEO Lindiwe Rakharebe.
