The G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting convened on Friday, September 12 in South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park, where Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille used her address to set out a forward-looking agenda for global tourism.
In a wide-ranging speech, she highlighted the sector’s role as a driver of jobs and economic growth while calling for deeper investment in digital innovation, fairer financing, stronger air connectivity, and greater resilience against future shocks—all underpinned by the values of solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
Speaking at the opening of the Meeting, De Lille reminded the world’s leading economies that tourism is more than leisure—it is a cornerstone of livelihoods, culture, and economic resilience. She positioned South Africa’s G20 Presidency as an opportunity to reimagine the sector so that it “truly leaves no one behind.”
Tourism, De Lille stressed, is one of the most powerful industries in the world, contributing $2 trillion in export revenues, 371 million jobs, and 10.3% of global GDP. Africa itself has outpaced global averages, recording a 9% rise in international arrivals in the first quarter of 2025.
South Africa, she noted, is living proof of tourism’s transformative power. The country recorded over 880,000 international arrivals in July 2025 alone, a 26% year-on-year increase, with the sector supporting 1.5 million jobs. “This is not just about numbers—it’s about livelihoods, families, and futures,” she told delegates.
Four priorities for the G20 tourism agenda
Under South Africa’s leadership, the G20 is being urged to focus on four interconnected priorities:
Digital Innovation for MSMEs and Start-ups: De Lille emphasised that small enterprises remain the backbone of the global tourism economy, yet many risk being left behind in the digital era. She called for targeted support in digital literacy, incubator networks, and ethical adoption of technology. “Digital innovation is not about replacing people, but about empowering people,” she said.
Financing and Investment for Equality and Sustainability: With tourism often plagued by unequal distribution of benefits, the Minister urged greater mobilisation of public and private capital towards community ventures and green infrastructure. She revealed that South Africa hosted its first Tourism Investment Summit in Cape Town this week, positioning it as a legacy initiative of its G20 Presidency. She also acknowledged UN Tourism’s role in producing Tourism Doing Business Guides for South Africa and Africa, tools to attract and streamline investment.
Air Connectivity for Seamless Travel: Acknowledging that tourism cannot thrive without affordable and sustainable links, De Lille pressed G20 members—who account for 68% of international tourist arrivals and 71% of tourism exports—to lead the charge in transforming aviation. “Without efficient, affordable, and sustainable connections, our destinations remain islands unto themselves,” she warned, calling for streamlined visa regimes, cleaner aviation technologies, and expanded regional networks.
Building Resilience Against Global Shocks: Tourism’s vulnerability to pandemics, climate events, and economic crises has been laid bare in recent years. De Lille proposed a G20 framework for resilience, centred on community-driven models, diversified tourism products, institutionalised stress-testing, and strong public–private partnerships.
One of the strongest themes of her speech was sustainability, which De Lille linked to both conservation and community development. Using the Kruger National Park as an example, she said: “This iconic reserve is more than a tourist destination—it is a living testament to biodiversity, a sanctuary for endangered species and a vital cornerstone of ecological preservation.”
South Africa, she revealed, is pioneering efforts to audit major tourism events for sustainability, with the G20 meeting itself serving as a pilot. She urged other countries to follow suit, warning that unchecked tourism growth could undermine the very environments and cultures it relies upon.
De Lille also spotlighted the G20 Tourism Hackathon, which brought together 48 students from 21 institutions to design real-world solutions for the sector using AI, design thinking, and innovation. Their projects ranged from immersive heritage platforms to offline learning kiosks. “Tourism is not just about travel—it’s about transformation,” she said. “When we invest in youth, we invest in the future of tourism.”
Throughout her remarks, De Lille returned to the guiding values of South Africa’s G20 Presidency—Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability—and urged global leaders to act with urgency. “Colleagues, the world is watching. Let us lead with courage, collaborate with purpose, and build a tourism sector that truly leaves no one behind.”
South Africa’s agenda is expected to shape discussions on how tourism can adapt to a rapidly changing world. From digital inclusion to sustainable financing and air connectivity, the roadmap presented in Mpumalanga signals a pivot towards a tourism sector that is greener, fairer and more resilient—anchored in Africa but resonating worldwide.
