Parliament, Tuesday, 29 September 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Tourism today received briefings from South African Tourism (SAT) on the outcomes of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026, Meetings Africa 2026 and SAT’s strategy to strengthen the hosting and long-term sustainability of these flagship tourism trade platforms.
The committee welcomed the positive performance of both events and recognises their strategic importance in positioning South Africa and the African continent as globally competitive tourism and business events destinations. These platforms continue to play a critical role in supporting tourism growth, market access, investment attraction, skills development and job creation, said the Chairperson of the committee, Ms Ronalda Nalumango.
The committee noted that Meetings Africa 2026 marked the 20th edition of Africa’s premier business events trade show. The show attracted 325 exhibitors, 375 hosted buyers from 48 countries, participation from 20 African countries and more than 6 400 business meetings through its matchmaking platform. The committee is particularly encouraged by the record participation of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), demonstrating the event’s contribution to transformation and inclusive growth within the sector.
The Chairperson said, “It is not enough to celebrate that more SMMEs participated in the 2026 edition of these platforms. What is of paramount importance is the impact on how this participation is converted into more business for these SMMEs. It is crucial that the improvement strategies include clear targets for SMME participation and the intended impact of this participation.
Similarly, Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 continued to demonstrate its value as one of Africa’s largest tourism trade exhibitions. The event attracted close to 10 000 attendees, 1 290 exhibiting companies, 919 buyers and more than 23 000 confirmed business meetings. The committee applauded the continued expansion of continental participation and the event’s focus on promoting tourism trade, investment and market access for African tourism businesses.
The committee is particularly encouraged by efforts to support emerging destinations, youth development and small business participation. Initiatives such as the Future Leaders Forum, the Explorer Destination Programme and the substantial representation of SMMEs contribute meaningfully to transforming the tourism economy and ensuring broader participation across the tourism value chain.
While acknowledging these achievements, the committee noted the challenges outlined by South African Tourism, including compressed planning timelines, geopolitical disruptions affecting international travel, increasing global competition and persistent aviation connectivity constraints. These challenges require proactive planning and strengthened stakeholder collaboration to safeguard the competitiveness of South Africa’s tourism offering.
The committee welcomed South African Tourism’s strategic plan to strengthen both Africa’s Travel Indaba and Meetings Africa over the medium term. The focus on commercial sustainability, enhanced buyer quality, improved business matchmaking, digital transformation, stronger aviation partnerships and more robust economic impact measurement reflects a forward-looking approach aimed at maximising the value derived from these platforms.
Ms Nalumango urged members of the newly appointed South African Tourism board to attend relevant committee meetings, noting that their participation is essential when matters under their oversight are discussed. “Deputy Minister, the committee would have appreciated the participation of the new South African Tourism board, particularly as we are considering the improvement plans it will oversee. Going forward, relevant board members, including the chairperson of the board responsible for the matters on the agenda, should attend committee meetings,” said Ms Nalumango.
The committee emphasised that performance must be assessed against the full public investment in each event. Although the briefings reported selected economic outcomes, the amounts invested were not clearly stated, limiting the committee’s ability to verify whether the results represent an adequate return on taxpayers’ money.
The committee therefore expects concrete timelines, measurable targets and reliable mechanisms for tracking whether buyer engagements and business leads convert into confirmed contracts, tourist arrivals and sustained market access for participating SMMEs. Increased participation alone is not sufficient; the economic benefit to small enterprises must also be demonstrated.
Among follow-up actions, the committee requested that the Economic Impact Study be shared as soon as it becomes available; that the National Conventions Bureau report before Meetings Africa in February 2027 on the implementation of the improvement plans and readiness for both 2027 events; and that a multiyear operational framework covering the lifecycle, delivery and performance of the event contracts be submitted within three months, subject to lawful disclosure requirements under POPIA.
Of particular importance is the commitment that commercial reforms will remain aligned with the principles of transformation, inclusion and sustainability. The committee supports measures to ensure that women-owned enterprises, youth-owned businesses, SMMEs and enterprises from villages, townships and small towns continue to benefit from participation opportunities within these platforms.
The committee further welcomes the intention to position these events not only as tourism trade exhibitions but also as investment platforms to attract infrastructure investment, facilitate public-private partnerships and stimulate innovation within the sector. Such efforts are aligned with the broader objective of leveraging tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and employment creation.
The committee will continue to exercise oversight over the implementation of these strategies and expects regular reporting on measurable outcomes, including investment facilitated, business deals concluded, jobs supported and the growth of participating small enterprises. Enhanced monitoring and evaluation will be critical in demonstrating the long-term impact of these flagship events on South Africa’s tourism economy.
As the country prepares for Meetings Africa 2027 and Africa's Travel Indaba 2027, the committee encourages all stakeholders in the tourism value chain to work collaboratively to strengthen South Africa’s position as a leading tourism and business events destination on the African continent and globally.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, MS RONALDA NALUMANGO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender (Ms)
Cell: 081 704 1109
Email: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
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