South Africa’s maiden Tourism Investment Summit has opened at Investec , Cape Town.
The summit which aims at assembling gathering a pool of investors from the public and private sector is also a precursor to the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in Mpumalanga province this Friday.
The event, which precedes the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Mpumalanga on 12 September, is designed to position South Africa as a leading hub for tourism investment on the African continent and to align the sector with the country’s broader economic development agenda.
The Summit is convened by the SA’s Department of Tourism with partners , UN Tourism, WTTC and TBCSA
Speaking at the opening of the summit the Sector Minister Patricia De Lille, said the event has come at a critical juncture where the tourism needs the capital and right investments for the industry to optimise its full potential.
Minister Patricia De Lille
“Today, we are putting before you eight flagship, bankable projects. These are projects from both the public and private sector, with strong return on investment and high community impact. And this is just a fraction of what lies in our national pipeline, which is rich, diverse, and growing. We stand here not only as a nation of immense tourism potential, but also as a gateway to Africa,” she said.
The Tourism Minister added: “Our theme “G20 Tourism Investment for Jobs, Growth, and Transformation” reminds us that this is not just about business. This is about livelihoods. This is about reshaping South Africa and positioning Africa as a global tourism powerhouse. Together, through regional collaboration, enabling policies, and smart infrastructure, we can achieve this vision.”
De Lille called on, “our investors in this room and those joining us online, to bring forward your ideas, your models, and your innovations.
Let us build tourism infrastructure that not only attracts visitors but uplifts communities and creates jobs.”
UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili in his address applauded the Government of South Africa for convening the meeting to solicit the needed investment to catapult the sector.
UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili
He said “South Africa is one of the most attractive destinations for tourism investment. “
“This Summit will also provide the platform to explore the topics that matter most in order to attract FDIs for the sustainable development of tourism in South Africa and the entire African continent” Mr Pololikashvili continued.
Highlighting the enormous role of investment to the growth of tourism, the UN Tourism Chief outlined the
“Lastly, as we all know, investing goes beyond financing and infrastructure development. Investing in tourism also means mobilizing resources to enable access to education and human capital development.”
The summit has convened a carefully selected audience of global leaders, policymakers, investors, financiers, and tourism stakeholders. The event will focus on three strategic pillars:
Tourism Investment in Smart Cities and Digital Transformation – Leveraging technology to improve visitor experiences, streamline travel services, and support the growth of innovative tourism start-ups and small businesses.
Sustainable Tourism and Green Investments – Driving environmentally responsible development that conserves natural heritage, reduces carbon footprints, and promotes long-term resilience.
Infrastructure Development for Competitiveness – Enhancing transport systems, hospitality facilities, and cultural attractions to ensure South Africa remains a globally competitive destination.
