South African president calls for stronger African tourism cooperation at Travel Indaba 2026

People visit the exhibition area of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, South Africa, May 12, 2026. Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 kicked off Tuesday in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for stronger continental cooperation to unlock tourism's potential as a key driver of economic growth in Africa.(Xinhua/Chen Wei)

DURBAN, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 kicked off Tuesday in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for stronger continental cooperation to unlock tourism's potential as a key driver of economic growth in Africa.

"For many African countries, tourism is not merely a leisure industry. It is a developmental instrument through which we can grow our economies," Ramaphosa said at the event's opening ceremony in the coastal city of Durban.

Ramaphosa said South Africa welcomed 10.5 million international visitors in 2025, with three-quarters of arrivals coming from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

He called for deeper integration of travel across Africa, saying South Africa was working with neighboring countries to advance the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, which aims to enable seamless travel across member states.

The initiative, he said, aligns with the broader goals of the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, both aimed at promoting freer movement of people and stronger trade and investment ties across the continent.

"As we look to the future, we must continue to diversify our source markets," Ramaphosa said, noting that South Africa is stepping up efforts to attract visitors from fast-growing markets such as China, India, Southeast Asia, Mexico and Brazil.

He added that visa reforms, including the Electronic Traveler Authorization system and the Digital Nomad Visa, are intended to make travel to South Africa "easier and more seamless."

Africa's Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism with the specific objective of creating market access for a vast array of African leisure tourism products.

This year's three-day event, held under the theme "Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa's Tourism Economy," has attracted over 1,200 exhibitors from 22 African countries and nearly 1,000 buyers from 44 countries. ■

People communicate at Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, South Africa, May 12, 2026. Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 kicked off Tuesday in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for stronger continental cooperation to unlock tourism's potential as a key driver of economic growth in Africa.(Xinhua/Chen Wei)

A drone photo taken on May 12, 2026 shows the venue of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, South Africa. Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 kicked off Tuesday in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for stronger continental cooperation to unlock tourism's potential as a key driver of economic growth in Africa.(Xinhua/Chen Wei)

People take a selfie at the opening ceremony of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, South Africa, May 12, 2026. Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 kicked off Tuesday in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for stronger continental cooperation to unlock tourism's potential as a key driver of economic growth in Africa.(Photo by Mbuthi Msweli/Xinhua)

People perform at the opening ceremony of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, South Africa, May 12, 2026. Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 kicked off Tuesday in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for stronger continental cooperation to unlock tourism's potential as a key driver of economic growth in Africa.(Photo by Mbuthi Msweli/Xinhua)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the opening ceremony of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, South Africa, May 12, 2026. Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 kicked off Tuesday in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for stronger continental cooperation to unlock tourism's potential as a key driver of economic growth in Africa.(Xinhua/Chen Wei)

A man walks past billboards for Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban, South Africa, May 12, 2026. Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 kicked off Tuesday in South Africa, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for stronger continental cooperation to unlock tourism's potential as a key driver of economic growth in Africa.(Photo by Mbuthi Msweli/Xinhua)