Tourism Investment Forum Positions South Africa As Africa’s Tourism Gateway

The Tourism Investment Forum, hosted by the Government of South Africa in partnership with UN Tourism, convened global leaders to explore investment opportunities across South Africa and the wider African continent.

Showcasing South Africa’s dynamic tourism sector – which welcomed nearly 9 million international visitors and 47 million domestic trips in 2024, contributing over 12% to GDP – the forum underscored the country’s pivotal role as a gateway for regional tourism development.

Opening the Forum, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Investing in tourism is about more than infrastructure, it’s about building a sustainable future through education and inclusion. We are proud to be leading the conversation around tourism investments and building bridges between investors and projects right across Africa.”

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New investment guidelines launched

A highlight of the forum was the launch of the Tourism Doing Business Guidelines – Investing in South Africa, developed jointly by UN Tourism and the Department of Tourism of South Africa. The guide offers investors a comprehensive roadmap of opportunities, incentives, and key projects, designed to foster confidence and stimulate sustainable tourism growth. It highlights South Africa’s unique natural and cultural assets – from Table Mountain to Kruger National Park – underpinned by world-class infrastructure and a pro-investment climate.

UN Tourism also unveiled the executive summary of the Investing in Africa Guidebook, the first continent-wide report dedicated to identifying investment prospects in African tourism. Drawing on both public and private sector insights, the publication presents critical data, strategies, and project opportunities to accelerate tourism-led growth.

In addition, new editions of the Tourism Doing Business Guides were announced for Angola, Cabo Verde, and Kenya, complementing existing country guides for South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Morocco, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Tanzania.

Education and youth empowerment

Demonstrating its commitment to human capital development, UN Tourism awarded 100 Online Academy Scholarships to South Africa. The scholarships aim to empower youth, enhance skills, and promote inclusive education within the tourism sector, in alignment with the organization’s Agenda for Africa.

Driving sustainable growth across Africa

The forum also hosted panel discussions on public-private partnerships, digital transformation, sustainable hospitality, and conservation ventures, reflecting the diversity of opportunities across the African tourism landscape.

Together, these initiatives reaffirm UN Tourism’s role in supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening investor confidence, and advancing Africa’s tourism potential as a driver of sustainable economic development.

The article Tourism Investment Forum positions South Africa as Africa’s tourism gateway first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.