Africa Travel Indaba attracts 39 local operators

Sharon Mathala | Monday May 12, 2025 17:13

Ready to roll: Africa’s Travel Indaba kicks off tomorrow at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre with Mmolotsi due to attend

About 39 local operators will participate at the Indaba which is expected to attract an estimated 9,000 delegates over the course of the show.

The event will officially be opened by South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, while Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi, will also be in attendance.

The 39 local tour operators and tourism businesses exhibiting under Botswana’s banner signify the country’s dedication to growing the sector. The delegation includes both seasoned operators and emerging players eager to forge partnerships, secure bookings, and promote Botswana as a premier destination.

In total, 27 African countries will be exhibiting at the Indaba, including Angola, Kenya, St Helena, Lesotho, Cameroon, Madagascar, Tanzania, Congo, Malawi, Uganda, DRC, Mauritius, Zambia, Egypt, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Reunion Islands, Gabon, Rwanda, Ghana, Seychelles, and host nation South Africa.

Held at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, the Africa Travel Indaba is regarded as a key driver of intra-African trade and tourism. Over the years, the event has evolved into a platform not only for business transactions but also for policy discussions around sustainable tourism development in Africa.

For Botswana, the focus this year is on repositioning itself as a competitive, high-value destination while supporting local operators to tap into broader international markets.

*Sharon Mathala is in Durban at the invitation of South African Tourism