South Africa: The Northern Cape Department Finance, Economic Development and Tourism shared their experience at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026. It shared a social media post including the glimpses from the event.
Africa’s premier tourism showcase concluded at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, and the Northern Cape continued to position itself as a destination of opportunity, culture and innovation.
Speaking to Northern Cape audiences on Radio Teemaneng (RTS), Marketing Communications Officer at NCEDA – Tebogo Velembo reflected on key outcomes and opportunities emerging from Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026. The province recorded strong business engagements between tourism trade buyers and Northern Cape exhibitors, by creating valuable networking opportunities that aims at growing tourism investment, destination marketing and visitor experiences across the province.
A major highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Northern Cape Tourism and Limpopo Tourism by Acting General Manager for Marketing and Investment Promotion – Thandiwe Modibela. The MOU aims at strengthening collaboration, cross-selling tourism packages and promoting inter-provincial travel experiences. The partnership is expected to open new opportunities for joint marketing and tourism growth.
Emerging global tourism trends such as astro-tourism and gastro-tourism also formed part of the discussions, by presenting exciting possibilities for the Northern Cape to diversify its tourism offerings. With its clear night skies, rich heritage, unique cuisine and authentic cultural experiences, the province is well-positioned to tap into these growing niche markets.
Africa’s Travel Indaba continues to serve as a strategic platform to market the Northern Cape as a competitive tourism destination while fostering partnerships that contribute to economic growth, job creation and sustainable tourism development.
About Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026
Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism, with a specific objective of creating market access for the vast array of African leisure tourism Products. The Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 edition followed the theme: “Shaping Africa’s tomorrow, through connection today!”
Africa’s Travel Indaba was a 3-day trade show preceded by a dedicated Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) which created a platform for thought-leadership, knowledge sharing and obtaining the latest in global trends and local insights. The BONDay programme was developed in close collaboration with the global tourism organisations, continental experts as well as industry associations.
The trade show exists to provide the ideal platform for African tourism exhibitors to showcase their offerings to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies and leisure tourism services partners. It is the most formidable platform on the continent for people to meet face-to-face with the most influential buyers in the world and to gain access to Africa’s excellence and its endless possibilities. The event is a great business opportunity and create quality connections that will shape Africa’s tomorrow.
More About the 2026 Edition
The trade show takes place in the Host Province of KwaZulu–Natal, known for its warm and inviting coastline and friendly beaches, safari parks, rolling green hills and its vast sugar cane and banana plantations.
It also has a rich history and its battlefields, and the Nelson Mandela capture site are some of its popular tourist attractions. KwaZulu-Natal is renowned for its two World Heritage Sites – the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Area.
The City of Durban will play host to Africa’s Travel Indaba, where delegates can look forward to vibrant spice markets, authentic Zulu culture and a vibrant cityscape and nightlife, with the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre as the world-class Host Venue for the show.
Notably, for two years in a row, Africa’s Travel Indaba has won the award for Africa’s best travel and tourism show. This award was presented by the Association of World Travel Awards.