Cape Town: The largest tourism and hospitality trade show of the continent ‘World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026’ has kicked off this week at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The event was observed from April 13 to 15, 2026.
WTM Africa is an event, where thousands of industry professionals, investors, and leading exhibitors gather from across the globe. They come together for deal-making and discussions that shape the future of travel and tourism around the continent. This year’s event brought together over 570 exhibitors, with attendees from 100 countries.
The event was opened by Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth and Tourism – Alderman James Vos. He noted that the expansion of the industry in Cape Town and its impact on residents is optimistic.
Alderman Vos stated that, hosting WTM Africa in Cape Town is no coincidence. It reflects the position as a leading global destination and a gateway to the continent’s tourism economy. Through the multi-year agreement, they are ensuring that this platform continues to bring thousands of trade professionals together right here in the city, by creating real opportunities for local businesses, and unlocking growth across the sector.
He recalled that at the end of 2022, they were celebrating 184 international flights per week into Cape Town. This past peak season, which concluded in March, that number grew to over 230 flights every single week.
Alongside this is the growth in employment: in 2022, tourism supported just over 89,000 jobs in Cape Town. Two years later, in 2024, that number increased to over 106,000 people, which is nearly 7% of the city’s entire workforce. This growth didn’t happen by chance; it is the result of focused work, strong partnerships, and a deliberate strategy, said James Vos.
Outlining the future growth ambitions, Alderman Vos said he and officials are currently putting the final touches on the City’s new Tourism Framework. They are now finalising the new Tourism Framework, which he believes will be a game-changer for how they grow this sector over the coming years.
Vos expressed that their intention with this framework is clear: by 2030. They aim to grow arrivals to nearly 3.4 million travellers. They will unlock R34 billion in visitor spending, and most importantly the double tourism jobs to over 200,000 Capetonians.
These are not just targets on paper, they reflect what he is working to achieve through focused policy, stronger partnerships, and sustained momentum in the sector. He hopes that this framework will fundamentally expand opportunity, by ensuring that tourism growth translates into real jobs, real business prospects, and real economic inclusion for more Capetonians.
Beyond the numbers, it is all about building a more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable tourism economy. One that reaches more communities, creates more opportunities, and benefits more people.
In the final words of his address, James Vos urged delegates to take the opportunity to visit some of the Mother City’s attractions and vote in the World Travel Awards Africa.
He added that there’s a reason Cape Town is nominated for Leading City Destination, Leading Beach Destination, Leading Business Travel Destination, and Leading Festival and Event Destination. I hope you’re all able to experience that reason during your stay, said Vos.