Latest news with #SATourism
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South African Tourism celebrates economic Impact of Africa's Travel Indaba 2025
SA Tourism said that the projected economic benefits spurred by Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, from event infrastructure and logistics to accommodation, restaurants, and local transport services, have been significant. Image: Tumi Pakkies/Independent Newspapers South African Tourism hails Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 held in Durban last week as a huge economic boost. SA Tourism said that the projected economic benefits spurred by Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, from event infrastructure and logistics to accommodation, restaurants, and local transport services, have been significant. 'The direct economic impact of Africa's Travel Indaba on Durban's GDP is estimated at R574-million, with direct spending totalling more than R232-million, highlighting the substantial economic benefits.' SA Tourism added that the event created over 2,000 jobs, particularly for the youth and local communities, with an anticipated household income contribution exceeding R140 million. 'Current figures (still to be audited) indicate that Africa's Travel Indaba 2025, themed 'Unlimited Africa', hosted more than 9,990 attendees, marking an impressive 7.7% increase compared to 9,280 delegates that attended in 2024, with over 24,500 quality meetings held.' SA Tourism said that 1,348 exhibitors and 1,037 buyers attended the event, with both exhibitor and international buyer numbers being the highest recorded in the past four years. 'A total of 27 African countries participated, including new entrants from Chad, St Helena, and Burkina Faso. Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 was officially opened by His Excellency Paul Mashatile, South Africa's Deputy President, and the Honourable Patricia de Lille, South Africa's Minister of Tourism.' SA Tourism said that Thembisile Sehloho, Chief Marketing Officer of South African Tourism, together with Sibusiso Gumbi, Acting Chief Executive Officer of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority; Winile Mntungwa, Deputy Head of Durban Tourism; and Sandile Makhanya, Acting Marketing & Communications Executive of Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC), addressed the media at the wrap-up of Africa Travel Indaba 2025 on 15 May. Sehloho said that they are exceptionally proud to have once again delivered the premier showcase of the African continent's diverse tourism products and experiences. 'This year, we cemented Africa's Travel Indaba's position as a proudly Pan African event with a notable increase in the number of African countries participating. This success is a direct result of powerful collaboration with all our partners. The significant enthusiasm and business conducted reflect the robust growth and immense potential of the African tourism sector under the banner of 'Unlimited Africa.'' Gumbi said that he welcomed the enduring partnership between South African Tourism, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority, the City of Durban, and the Durban ICC. 'I am pleased to say that KwaZulu-Natal has successfully hosted Africa's Travel Indaba again, achieving a record number of delegates, international buyers, and airlines this year. As Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Film Authority, we supported 26 emerging tourism businesses who exhibited at our stand and had the opportunity to network with buyers from across Africa.' Gumbi added that the authority signed key Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with eSwatini Tourism and Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area Joint Marketing Agreement. 'This is part of the organisation's programmes to grow the Africa market for KwaZulu-Natal. They also had key engagements with several strategic partners such as Club Med and some airlines that will help grow their footprint globally.' Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, reiterated the ambitious targets of the Department's five-year Tourism Growth Partnership Plan. 'These include growing total tourism employment from approximately 1.84 million jobs in 2024 to 2.5 million jobs, increasing domestic spend by 25%, growing tourism's GDP contribution from 8.8% in 2024 to10%, and welcoming an extra million international air arrivals annually.' Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his opening address of Africa Travel Indaba, highlighted the 'Unlimited Africa' theme as a bold declaration of Africa's promise. 'Travel and tourism contributed 6.8% to Africa's GDP in 2023, with projections indicating a rise to 10.4% by 2030, and for South Africa, tourism currently contributes 8.9% to GDP, supporting 1.68 million jobs, with an ambitious target to grow this to 2.2 million jobs by 2030.' BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Golf's role in driving sports tourism and economy in South Africa
The tourism and hospitality sector have praised the sport of golf in boosting the economy and bringing international tourists to KZN and South Africa. The tourism and hospitality sector have praised the sport of golf in boosting the economy and bringing international tourists to KZN and South Africa. This comes after golfing legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen were invited as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's delegation to meet US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in Washington on Wednesday. Rosemary Anderson, national chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), said on Friday that golf was a powerful driver of tourism and hospitality, especially in South Africa where we boast some of the world's most scenic and high-quality golf courses. 'From the Garden Route to the highveld, South Africa offers championship-standard courses at a fraction of the cost compared to those in Europe, North America or China,' Anderson said. 'This combination of affordability and excellence is an untapped opportunity in the international market, which could be better leveraged to grow inbound tourism. SA Tourism should be targeting this untapped market with vigour.' Anderson added that sport tourism was a significant economic booster. 'It supports not only the direct sports venues but also stimulates broader travel spend - accommodation, dining, transport, and experiences. Golf, with its global appeal and affluent following, can contribute meaningfully to local economies, particularly in off-peak travel seasons, due to our wonderful weather in our country – golf is a year-round sport,' she said. Anderson said it was frustrating that South Africa has not aggressively gone after the golf market to attract more tourists to the country. 'Golf is more than just a sport; it's a global network that opens doors on many levels, including diplomacy. It was telling that during a recent diplomatic engagement at the White House, President Ramaphosa included South African golf legends Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in his delegation - an astute move, as former President Trump is famously passionate about golf and its champions,' she said. 'This illustrates the soft power and universal appeal of golf. Promoting South Africa as a top-tier, yet affordable, golfing destination can position the country as a premier choice for leisure and business tourism alike.' Umhlanga Tourism chairperson Jeannie Sarno said that sport tourism should always be a section in tourism to be calculated and considered. 'Especially golf. Durban has the perfect weather all year round, and it would be silly for us in tourism not to take full advantage of this and amongst other sports that could be looked into for future events,' Sarno said. Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), said that the KZN South Coast, which is known colloquially as 'The Golf Coast', was fortunate to have 11 quality golf courses, many of which offer a backdrop of the Indian Ocean set among stunning coastal forests. 'These are a major tourism attraction for visitors looking for a golf weekend getaway, or for those simply looking for a fun recreational activity while visiting this beautiful region,' he said. Sibiya added that golf remained one of the world's most popular sports and was a key strategy for business networking and engagement. 'The KZN South Coast is a top MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and events] destination, with our golf courses providing the perfect setting to host corporate days, fundraising events, and professional golf competitions such as The Wild Coast Classic, the Thursday Ladies Challenge Golf, and the South African Women's Masters.' Visit:
TimesLIVE
15-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Young entrepreneurs shine at Durban's Africa Travel Indaba
Social media has proven to be a winning formula for two young entrepreneurs who were selected to showcase their businesses at the Africa Travel Indaba, which came to a close at the Durban International Convention Centre on Thursday. Chesterville youngster Nhlakanipho Msobo, 20, who runs Nhlaka's Desserts, said after seeing the quality of their work, the country's official marketing entity, SA Tourism, hand-picked him to exhibit at the Come Find Your Joy station at the three-day trade show. 'We were lucky to land this opportunity, which I hope will change our business fortunes. It's unbelievable how Instagram, Facebook and TikTok posts have resulted in what we are seeing today,' said Msobo. As a first-timer at Africa Travel Indaba, Msobo said he was encouraged by the interest which the business had garnered at the three-day show. 'Our goal is to branch out to other provinces', said Msobo. He readily admits how this would require a lot of work from him and his team to realise the growth. 'Before we can actually go far, we just need to trade in the Durban inner city to gain more exposure to customers. There is a bigger foot traffic,' said Msobo. His business operates from the Chesterville township where they are running it from a small gazebo and small mobile kitchen. There is a small space where customers can enjoy the vast array of ice cream delicacies on offer. He said their clientele is mainly youth and older people. Also making a presence at the show is Nobuhle Mnyandu, 31, from Montclair in the south of Durban. Mnyandu founded YummieBee Treats in 2021 after battling a spell of unemployment. Her business sells specialised and customised treats, including sweets. Owner of the YummieBee Treats, Buhle Mnyandu, displays her wares at the Indaba in Durban. She is a participant in Come Find Your Joy, a campaign of SA Tourism aimed at discovering and grooming young enterpreneurs. This was her first opportunity to exhibit. Image: SANDILE NDLOVU 'Everything we package to make it look cute. I also specialise in kiddies party packs. As you can see, we are colourful,' she said. Mnyandu matriculated from Durban Girls' High School in 2012 and later graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. 'This is something which is totally different from what I had studied,' said Mnyandu. She said that after enduring a year-long spell of unemployment, she explored the idea of forming a business. 'I know too well the challenges of not being employed, and hence when I get work in my business, I work with people who are looking for work,' she said. Like Msobo, Mnyandu believes social media had been helpful in raking in clients for the start-up business. 'TikTok and Instagram have been very useful and it's I recommend highly for those who want to get into business,' said Mnyandu. Mnyandu hopes to grow more in the corporate space. Chief marketing officer for South African tourism, Thembisile Sehloho, said they were also showcasing the country's ambitious destination campaign dubbed 'South Africa awaits, come find your joy'. She said the campaign is a call to action to the world to visit the country. 'Being able to launch this and have pockets of joy is wonderful. You get to hear the joy and taste the joy, literally. There is a 360 degree reality which allows you to see destinations,' said Sehloho. She said the show followed hot on the heels of the Soweto derby, which had positive spin-offs for the eThekwini region. It was also preceded by the G20 meetings. 'Africa Travel Indaba is built on the premise of building the economy of Africa. It's really about access and giving an opportunity for African countries to advertise and showcase their world ... connect businesses with the actual buyers,' said Sehloho. More than 27 African countries participated this year. 'We want Africa to be a one-stop destination. We also want to unlock the opportunities on the continent. We want delegates to be able to see how they can criss-cross countries across the continent,' said Sehloho. She said they also wanted to see tourism being driven by culture, which would enhance the tourism explosion. 'As you can see, I feel like I am in Africa. It's really something which we want to see and we saw it coming through,' said Sehloho.
Zawya
19-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Will South Africa's 2025 budget speech fulfil tourism's potential?
As South Africa looks ahead to the 2025 Budget Speech, there is optimism that this year's fiscal plan will mirror the positivity seen in the President's recent State of the Nation address. Alan Campbell, Sales and Marketing Director at ANEW Hotels & Resorts is hopeful that the Budget will tackle critical structural challenges hindering growth in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Despite contributing approximately 8.2% to the country's GDP in 2023, the tourism and hospitality industry faces significant barriers, according to Campbell. "Tourism is not just a sector - it is a driver of social upliftment, a creator of jobs and foreign exchange earnings, yet heading towards the budget speech, we hope that the positive focus areas highlighted at SONA will materialise in the Minister of Finance's address," says Campbell. "On the one hand, President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of tourism to South Africa's economic recovery, citing its role in employing approximately 1.5 million people. But this has yet to play out in terms of engagement with the private sector or a significant shift in the support of the industry, in past budget speeches." Campbell says the disconnect between the sector's recognised potential and the strategic use of resources highlights an urgent need for a more focused, actionable approach. "If tourism is truly a foundation for South Africa's economic recovery, it requires not just verbal support but also concrete investment, strategic planning and a clear mandate for entities like SA Tourism." 'The government must empower these organisations with the budget, infrastructure and political will to execute ambitious growth plans. Equally, there is a need for greater accountability and efficiency to ensure that allocated funds are utilised effectively." Job creation through tourism He says with South Africa recently achieving its highest-ever matric pass rate, there is an urgent need to create job opportunities for young people entering the workforce. "Tourism presents a unique opportunity for large-scale employment across various skill levels. However, without strategic investment, this potential will remain untapped. Other African nations are already outpacing South Africa in seizing these opportunities, making it imperative for the country to become more competitive in this space." Campbell says they welcome the President's commitment to allocating R940 billion to infrastructure investment but questions whether the focus will be on the areas that require significant tourism support. 'Unreliable transport systems, poorly maintained roads and limited connectivity in rural areas continue to frustrate both tourists and operators, disproportionately impacting small businesses and community-based tourism initiatives in underdeveloped regions like Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Northern Cape. "These regions with their rich cultural and natural attractions hold significant tourism potential and a portion of the budget should prioritise improving critical infrastructure such as roads, airports and public transport systems,' Campbell emphasises. Public-private collaboration needs strengthening Collaboration between the public and private sectors also requires significant attention. "While smaller-scale partnerships have shown promise, there has been limited progress on large-scale initiatives," Campbell says. "Rejuvenation plans for the Durban CBD fuelled by private sector involvement hint at what could be achieved with a more strategic approach. SA Tourism and government entities must actively engage private stakeholders to co-develop a robust tourism strategy, leveraging shared resources and expertise to create jobs and drive economic growth." Globally, tourism marketing budgets are increasing, yet South Africa's spend on destination marketing remains relatively stagnant. "In 2024, competitors like Kenya and Morocco outpaced us with digital marketing campaigns targeting high-value travellers. The government must increase funding for South African Tourism to execute dynamic global campaigns, particularly in emerging markets such as China, India, and the Middle East while also focusing on regional travel from neighbouring countries." Campbell says the tourism and hospitality sectors have proven their resilience time and again but that resilience alone is not enough to drive growth. "The 2025 Budget must demonstrate bold action, with allocations that address systemic challenges and catalyse new opportunities. The right budgetary support in 2025 could be the turning point that ensures tourism and hospitality flourish." All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
