The South African Tourism Board, along with Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, has announced the dates for two significant trade shows in 2026. Meetings Africa is scheduled from February 23 to 25, with a Business Opportunity Networking Day on February 23. Africa’s Travel Indaba will occur from May 11 to 14, also featuring a networking day on May 11.
“These are not just dates, they are important milestones in our continent’s tourism and business events calendar,” stated Minister De Lille. She emphasized that these events reflect South African Tourism’s commitment to fostering global connections within the tourism and business sectors. The announcement reinforces South Africa’s role as a premier host for international business events.
Meetings Africa is recognized as the leading business events trade show on the continent, aiming to establish Africa as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). Meanwhile, Africa’s Travel Indaba remains one of the top leisure tourism marketing events worldwide, showcasing African tourism products and services.
Both trade shows contribute significantly to addressing unemployment and driving economic impact by expanding market access for smaller entities. This supports long-term sustainability and inclusive growth within the sector.
South African Tourism is currently conducting a competitive bidding process to select host cities for these events from 2026 onwards. This initiative aims to enhance innovation and deliver substantial benefits for all involved parties.
For media inquiries, contact Mr. Mncedisi Mtshali at [email protected] or Thandiwe Mathibela at [email protected].
