The 2026 Africa Tourism Leadership Forum kicked off at the Meropa Hotel in Polokwane, Limpopo, with a vibrant marimba performance by the Badira Mmogo Cultural Group. The opening ceremony set a lively tone for a gathering that would bring together policymakers, hospitality leaders, investors and tourism experts from across the continent.
Exhibition stands outside the main conference area showcased Africa’s tourism potential, displaying destinations, products, hospitality services and investment opportunities from a wide range of African countries. The mix of cultural displays, trade exhibits and panel discussions aimed to boost cooperation and expand tourism across Africa.
Kwakye Donkor, CEO of Africa Tourism Partners, highlighted the forum’s value for Limpopo, noting that the province’s exposure to an international audience would have taken far longer if achieved through individual country visits. “The benefit of such events is not just about numbers; it’s about priceless brand equity, priceless visibility,” Donkor said.
South African Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille used the event to call for a more connected African tourism industry. She urged governments, airlines, airports and the private sector to collaborate on viable routes, increased flight frequencies, reduced fares and easier intra‑African travel. “Africa must visit Africa. Africa must invest in Africa. And Africa must explore Africa,” she declared.
De Lille also addressed migration concerns, stressing that securing borders should not translate into closing off from the continent. “Managing irregular migration must never be confused with closing South Africa off from Africa,” she added.
Premier of Limpopo Province, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, described the forum as the start of a new chapter for the province, aiming to position Limpopo as a gateway for African tourism, investment, trade and partnerships. “Tourism is the backbone of our economy,” he said.
UNESCO Director General France Khaled El Nany emphasized the importance of connectivity and support for cultural and creative industries to diversify tourism and spread benefits more widely. He noted that UNESCO and UN Tourism had recently strengthened their partnership to promote sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism that protects heritage while benefiting communities.
Representatives from the AfCFTA Secretariat, including Wamkele Mene and Emily Mburu Ndoria, urged that the forum’s discussions should translate into action. They posed questions about enabling more intra‑African travel, building stronger tourism businesses, improving destination connectivity and ensuring that a larger share of tourism revenue remains within African economies.
The AfCFTA Secretariat committed to working with member states, tourism boards, private sector actors, creatives and development partners to build a more integrated, competitive and dynamic African tourism economy. The forum’s next steps will determine whether the ideas exchanged in Polokwane translate into tangible progress across the continent.
