Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille says Africa's Travel Indaba will shine a global spotlight on the continent's beauty, while calling for unity and tolerance among Africans ahead of the showcase in Durban.
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“Africa Travel Indaba is going to showcase the beauty of the continent.”
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has reinforced these words ahead of Africa Travel Indaba 2026 (ATI2026).
De Lille highlighted that the city is ready to host delegates from around the world and the continent at the Durban International Convention Centre from May 11 to 14.
She noted that the premier tourism event was part of Africa Month celebrations, which take place in the month of May.
The minister spoke to the media ahead of the event at the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban.
“The purpose of the Africa Travel Indaba is to put the continent on the world map and try and get more tourists and travellers to come to the continent and, of course, showcase what we’ve got on the continent, and it’s a great way to celebrate Africa Month.”
South Africa has been experiencing a wave of anti-illegal immigration protests spearheaded by March and March.
The protests began in KwaZulu-Natal and as the host province of ATI 2026, the Minister has appealed for tolerance.
“We’ve seen what’s been happening in our country and we’ve seen the marches, and really I just appeal to South Africans and to our African brothers and sisters: let’s be tolerant of one another.
"The African continent has joined us here in Durban for the past 30 years and the value of them coming out here is to showcase the beauty of the continent and the people of the continent.”
She said that she hopes that the Department of International Relations and the police will manage the situation as they have done for the past 30 years.
De Lille highlighted that 70% of travellers who come into South Africa are from the continent.
“All of those people who arrive to be tourists in our country, they come through legal means. They come with visas, they come through the airport and border posts and we are very grateful for that support.”
She noted that, as a result, going forward South Africa is going to participate in tourism trade fairs across the continent to show support for travel and trade with its neighbours.
“In terms of the whole perception of xenophobia, that is something the Cabinet must pronounce on as to what the official position of South Africa is. We respect the right of people to protest. That is part of our Constitution. And do so peacefully.
"So it’s finding that balance and addressing the grievances of the protesters. The government must show that we have listened to them and then we must find solutions so that we can all live peacefully together.”
When it comes to addressing youth unemployment and participation in the tourism industry, the Minister noted that the ATI platform, through the National Department of Tourism and the provincial governments, has sponsored businesses to participate.
“We are going to have a sustainability village where more than 400 SMMEs will be able to display their products to the rest of the world. It’s providing them market access, and by providing them market access, they are also able to grow their businesses.”
“Many of our young people are unemployed. Tourism has the potential to absorb a lot of semi-skilled, unskilled and graduate workers. That is why we are partnering with the private sector and other government departments to absorb many more young people into the tourism sector.”