Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, is set and ready to host the first-ever Africa’s Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Trade Market on 15th and 16th April 2025, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at diversifying Africa’s tourism products beyond traditional offerings.
Put together by the Africa’s Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Alliance, this maiden event seeks to spotlight Africa’s extensive coastlines and vibrant waterway activities as key drivers of economic growth and tourism development.
Speaking on the VA Tourism Podcast, Lusanda Fibi, Director and President of Africa’s Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Alliance, emphasized the importance of positioning Africa as a prime destination for marine and coastal tourism.
“With Coastal Marine Tourism, we have looked at Africa and seen that the destination has mostly been marketed as a safari hub. Yet, Africa is blessed with an extensive coastline and numerous inland water bodies, including iconic attractions like Victoria Falls. Our goal is to showcase Africa not only as a safari destination but also as a hub for thrilling water-based activities such as cruise liners, river rafting, canoeing, and ferry rides,” he explained.
A vision for marine tourism growth
The Africa Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Trade Market is designed to bring together stakeholders from across the continent to strategize and implement concrete plans for expanding this sub-sector. According to Fibi, discussions have been ongoing, including initiatives which integrate marginalized communities into the ocean economy.
“This is not just a South African initiative,” she noted. “We want to engage stakeholders continent-wide to learn from each other’s experiences, promote sustainability, and position Africa as a cruise liner destination.”
The event will also examine how Africa can leverage best practices from other maritime tourism hotspots, including the Caribbean, to bolster its own sector. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) presents opportunities for cross-border tourism collaborations, including a potential pan-African cruise liner service that connects different coastal and inland water destinations.
Who should attend?
The event is open to a diverse range of participants, including entrepreneurs, tourism operators, investors, government agencies, and communities situated near coastlines, rivers, and lakes. “Awareness is key,” Fibi stressed. “We are inviting as many people as possible to explore opportunities in marine tourism, especially those who live near rivers and water bodies but have yet to tap into their tourism potential.”
Even landlocked countries such as Zimbabwe and Zambia, known for their thriving Victoria Falls tourism, are encouraged to participate. The event will feature key industry players such as:
South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA, SABBEX Boating South Africa and South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI)
Empowering SMEs in coastal tourism
A major highlight of the event is its commitment to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), debunking the notion that marine tourism is exclusively for large corporations.
“We are creating space for SMEs,” Fibi affirmed. “One can own a 30-seater ferry for as little as 250,000 Rands and start a river cruise business. There are also opportunities for lodges, restaurants, and adventure tour operators located near water bodies to expand their services.”
In addition to boat owners and ferry operators, the event will focus on skipper training, financial assistance and regulatory guidance, ensuring that more African entrepreneurs can enter the maritime tourism space.
Event highlights and programme
The trade market will feature a mix of Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) engagements, allowing industry players to network, showcase their offerings, and explore business opportunities.
“There will be exhibitor stands for tourism businesses located in coastal areas, even if they do not offer direct water activities. We will also have two speaker’s rooms where thought leaders will discuss best practices, market trends, and regulatory frameworks,” Fibi revealed.
Key components of the event include: Networking functions, financial development sessions, regulatory and licensing support and boat building and sales showcase.
“This is not just a talk shop,” Fibi stressed. “We are bringing real solutions, from financing options to regulatory support, to help businesses thrive in Africa’s marine tourism sector.”
The event will also showcase a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Makhotso Sotyu, Deputy Minister of Tourism; David Frost, CEO of SATSA; Babaliwa Lobishe, Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay; Septi Bukula, Founder of Rendzo Network Africa; and Vanessa Davidson, CEO of SABBEX Boating among many others.
