Moderator: Ms. Ziyanda Ngcobo – Senior Politics Reporter Newzroom Afrika, Broadcaster (KZN)

An open invitation for citizens, visitors, and conference delegates to come together in a hands-on act of civic pride and environmental care. Set against the beauty of Durban’s iconic coastline, this uplifting initiative invites participants to help protect our beaches, preserve marine life, and contribute to the beautification of our city. It's a shared moment of action, connection, and purpose — where community spirit meets the ocean, and every small effort helps keep Durban shining for generations to come.

14h30 – Shuttles depart Durban ICC to North Beach, Between My Diners & Joe Cools

15h30 – Arrival North Beach Durban

17h30 – Event ends, shuttles return to hotel

DRESS CODE: Casual, comfortable and outdoor-friendly

This activation is an open invitation for visitors, and delegates to unite in civic pride and environmental care. Together, we’ll help protect our beaches, preserve marine life, and beautify our city.

Remember your hats, sunblock and a wind-jacket in case it gets nippy!

The purpose of the Forum is to provide policy, strategic and technical advice and to ensure oversight into development and implemtnation of vistior information services frameworks.

The TGCSA team will outline importance and relevance of quality assurance in the South African Tourism sector.

Ms. Samantha Croft - Operations Director, Southern Sun KZN Region

These sessions will provide a consolidated global overview of tourism trends and market dynamics across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East. The sessions will examine the tourism performance indicators, traveller segments, and aviation trends shaping each region 

This panel explores the powerful role of film in shaping destination appeal, influencing traveller perceptions, and driving tourism growth. Industry leaders, filmmakers, and tourism experts will unpack how authentic storytelling, screen exposure, and strategic partnerships between the film and tourism sectors can position destinations on the global stage and convert audiences into visitors.

Meeting hosted by the Department of Tourism

The Africa's Travel Indaba Welcome Networking Event seeks to immerse delegates in an authentic destination experience.

A national & global campaign to commemorate KNP Centenary meaningfully and restore a national asset and a nature lover’s global asset.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, Boundless Southern Africa and the Southern Africa Tourism Alliance will convene a high-level side event at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026, bringing together government officials and private sector leaders to address the connectivity barriers that continue to constrain tourism growth across the region.

The event, titled “Unlocking regional connectivity: rethinking how Southern Africa moves its visitors,”

The TGCSA team will outline importance and relevance of quality assurance in the South African Tourism sector 

Tourism Action Lab (TAL) Progress Update Session with key Tourism Sector Human Resource Development (TSHRD) Stakeholders. (TSSS)

Ms. Lorna Scott – CEO & Founder, Inverroche

These sessions will provide a consolidated global overview of tourism trends and market dynamics across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East. The sessions will examine the tourism performance indicators, traveller segments, and aviation trends shaping each region 

As the global tourism landscape evolves, digitalisation is becoming a critical driver of growth, competitiveness, and visitor experience. This panel discussion with African Tourism Ministers will explore how the tourism sector can harness technology to unlock new opportunities through digital marketing to reach and engage global travellers, digital visa systems to improve seamless travel, and data-driven digital tools that support smarter decision-making and destination management.

Participants:

• Ministers from the rest of the African continent

Signing of MOU with Mauritian Minister

This session at Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 will bring together leading marketing executives and communication professionals from across the tourism sector for an insight-sharing session on competitiveness, new developments in the sector. The forum will serve as a platform for thought leadership, collaboration, and innovative conversations on how Africa can strengthen its global tourism narrative through impactful communication and strategic marketing.

CMOs

Communicators from provincial tourism authorities and from other countries

Mr. Tshepo Mathebula - Ranger, SANParks and

Van Rooi Moreku - Ranger, SANParks

A cocktail evening by the Host Province

This panel explores the powerful role of film in shaping destination appeal, influencing traveller perceptions, and driving tourism growth. Industry leaders, filmmakers, and tourism experts will unpack how authentic storytelling, screen exposure, and strategic partnerships between the film and tourism sectors can position destinations on the global stage and convert audiences into visitors.                                                           

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Film Authority

Pre-scheduled appointments between hosted buyers and exhibitors

These sessions will provide a consolidated global overview of tourism trends and market dynamics across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East. The sessions will examine the tourism performance indicators, traveller segments, and aviation trends shaping each region 

The Bid-Party Wrap-Up hosted by South African Tourism, the Kwa-Zulu Natal Tourism & Film Authority and Durban Tourism close this year's edition of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026. This gathering sees the bid-partners reflect on the key highlights, milestones, partnerships, and impactful conversations that shaped this year’s event, while celebrating the collective efforts driving African tourism forward.

South African Tourism

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Film Authority

Durban Tourism

Durban ICC

Partake in a wide array of authentic South African and African cuisine whilst enjoying lunchtime entertainment.

Ms Lizanne du Plessis – Founder and CEO of Eco Africa Digital & Tourism Value Chain Strategy

Mr. Kwame AA Opoku – CEO & Founder AAGI and

Robyn de Villiers  - Strategy & Client Growth Lead of Eco Africa Digital