ITB Berlin 2025 saw key players in African aviation and hospitality sharing ambitious plans for expansion, investment, and strategic route development. From Air Botswana’s new regional connections to Sunbird Hotels’ major infrastructure investments and Discover Airlines’ launch of flights to Seychelles, these developments signal strong momentum for Africa’s tourism and business travel sectors.
Air Botswana Expands Regional Reach
Air Botswana has successfully completed its re-fleet programme, acquiring three new aircraft: one Embraer 175 and two Embraer 145s. Speaking at ITB Berlin, CEO Lulu Rasebotsa highlighted the airline’s recent milestones, including the launch of Gaborone–Windhoek and Gaborone–Durban direct routes in November 2024.
“The uptake has been quite promising, very exciting in both markets,” Rasebotsa said, noting the enthusiasm from the tourism sector in Durban and Namibia.
Looking ahead, Air Botswana is set to enhance access to Botswana’s top tourism hotspots.
“We’ll be looking at connecting Windhoek with Maun to access the Delta, Cape Town with Maun, and Cape Town with Kasane for the Chobe,” she revealed. With Botswana’s strategic location in the heart of SADC, the airline aims to establish itself as a dominant player in Southern Africa’s aviation landscape.
Domestically, the focus remains on strengthening existing routes. “For Francistown, Maun, and Kasane, we’ve increased flight frequency to improve connectivity,” Rasebotsa confirmed.
Sunbird Hotels Group Invests in Growth
For Malawi’s Sunbird Hotels Group, 2025 marks a year of significant expansion. Temwa Kanjadza – Head Sales, Marketing & Distribution of Sunbird Hotels, shared exciting developments, including the addition of 120 new rooms across key properties.
“We are currently constructing 60 new rooms for our Salima properties, as well as 60 rooms at our Sunbird Coppola property in southern Malawi,” she said. In addition, the Sunbird Zuzu Hotel will see an expansion of 10 suites.
A major highlight for the year is the launch of Sunbird’s International Conference Center in Salima, positioned to cater to both leisure and corporate traveler “These developments will enhance the customer experience, especially for conference delegates and guests at our lakeside resorts,” she added.
Discover Airlines Takes Off for Seychelles
German carrier Discover Airlines is set to expand its footprint in the Indian Ocean, with new direct flights to Seychelles launching on October 22, 2025. Marco Gotz, Chief Commercial Officer, described Seychelles as a “small diamond niche” with growing demand from the German-speaking markets.
“In combination with Mauritius, we will open up our Seychelles operation this year, with two weekly flights throughout the winter season in Europe,” Gotz announced.
With strong interest from European tour operators, Discover Airlines aims to tap into the luxury tourism market, offering seamless connections to Seychelles’ world-class beaches and resorts.
Africa’s Tourism Industry Gains Momentum
The insights from ITB Berlin underscore a positive trajectory for African tourism, with airlines and hotel groups making bold investments to enhance connectivity and hospitality offerings. As Air Botswana, Sunbird Hotels, and Discover Airlines execute their expansion plans, the outlook for the region’s travel industry remains highly promising.
