Joburg and Durban to Host Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba from 2026

South Africa’s tourism sector has scored a major win: Johannesburg and Durban will host Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) for the next five years, starting in 2026.

The announcement came on 17 September 2025 after South African Tourism completed a rigorous procurement process. By landing these flagship shows, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal step firmly into the spotlight of Africa’s global tourism ambitions.

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Why These Hostings Matter To The Travel Indaba

Meetings Africa and ATI are proven economic engines. They pull thousands of delegates, create jobs, and generate long-term contracts that boost intra-African trade.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille summed it up powerfully:

“These events are not only about tourism, but economic opportunity, job creation, and placing Africa on the map as a globally competitive destination.”

For Johannesburg, retaining Meetings Africa is especially symbolic. The city will host the 20th edition of the exhibition at the Sandton Convention Centre from 23 to 25 February 2026. For Durban, ATI will take place from 11 to 14 May 2026 at the Durban ICC, cementing its status as Africa’s leisure tourism capital.

Johannesburg’s Case: Global Positioning and Competitiveness

Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) Chairperson Nandipha Zonela didn’t mince words when celebrating the win:

“Bringing Africa’s leading business trade show back for another five years is a milestone – coming just before the U20 Summit and as we prepare to host the first-ever G20 Summit on African soil. Joburg remains the home and heartbeat of Meetings Africa – where Africa connects.”

The numbers back her claim. In 2024, Joburg welcomed 4.29 million arrivals and generated R69 billion in tourism spend. Sandton’s hotels, conference venues, and transport systems already serve global business leaders. Add the city’s role as South Africa’s financial hub, and Joburg becomes the obvious stage for deal-making in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry.

Durban’s Win: Trade and Tourism on the Shore

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Rev. Musa Zondi, hailed Durban’s confirmation as ATI’s long-term host:

“This is an excellent opportunity for KZN to welcome the world’s tourism family to our shores. The benefits extend well beyond the three-day event. Emerging tourism entrepreneurs can use this platform to secure deals that propel their businesses to new heights.”

Zondi added that ATI also spotlights Durban as a film and creative hub. By attracting thousands of global buyers and exhibitors, the city not only showcases its own appeal but also helps local SMEs secure investment and expand markets.

Travel Indaba: Building Trade Platforms for Africa

Both trade shows rank as the continent’s top tourism platforms.

• Meetings Africa connects global buyers with African suppliers in the MICE sector.
• ATI showcases the best of Africa’s leisure tourism, from safari lodges to urban cultural experiences.

Together, they attract thousands of delegates – from airlines and tour operators to hoteliers, media, and investors. Leads struck at these exhibitions often translate into contracts lasting years, feeding directly into intra-African trade and regional growth.

Long-Term Strategic Value

Officials stress that the decision goes beyond the prestige of hosting. Anchoring these events in Johannesburg and Durban ensures alignment with South Africa’s long-term tourism strategy. Benefits include:

• Consistency and brand power – repeat hosting strengthens global recognition.
• Maximised infrastructure use – both cities boast world-class convention centres and hotels.
• Inclusivity – space is deliberately carved out for SMEs and new entrepreneurs alongside established giants.
• African narrative control – Africa’s tourism story gets told by Africans, not outsiders.

South African Tourism, alongside the Tourism Business Council South Africa (TBCSA) and private sector partners, has promised to deliver fit-for-purpose trade shows that create value across the tourism value chain.

Gauteng’s Tourism Leadership Role

For Gauteng, hosting Meetings Africa in 2026 places the province at the heart of global tourism discussions just as it prepares for the G20 Summit. That timing amplifies Joburg’s dual identity: South Africa’s financial engine and a cultural gateway.

Tourism experts in Johannesburg argue that the real challenge lies in spreading the benefits beyond Sandton. Township economies, local service providers, and youth-owned enterprises stand to gain if inclusion is prioritised.

From Bids to Benefits

Securing these two mega-events is a vote of confidence in South Africa’s ability to host global gatherings with scale and style. But the true measure of success won’t be hotel occupancy rates or flight bookings. It will be the jobs created, SMEs empowered, and the share of Africa’s tourism trade that grows as a result.

As Minister de Lille stressed, prestige is not the end goal—lasting impact is.

Travel Indaba and Beyond: Building Benefits for Communities

Heritage, pride, and opportunity collide here. Gautengers, here’s how you can plug in:

• Back local entrepreneurs – visit their stands, buy their products, and spread their stories.
• Push for inclusivity – call for township and youth businesses to take their place in the tourism supply chain.
• Stay connected – follow South African Tourism updates, attend side-events, and use your networks to share opportunities.
• Turn inspiration into action – if you work in hospitality, logistics, or creative industries, start preparing now to collaborate.

Because ultimately, these events are not just for visitors flying in and out. They are for South Africans—especially Gautengers—who are building tourism into an engine of work, growth, and dignity.

Johannesburg is not simply hosting Meetings Africa. It is hosting Africa’s future.