Africa’s Travel Indaba opens in Durban today

Durban is once again in the global spotlight as Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 officially gets underway today. Tourism operators and investors from across the world are descending on the city for one of the biggest tourism events on the African continent. 

Hosted at the iconic Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) from 12 to 14 May 2026, Africa’s Travel Indaba is a major trade show owned by South African Tourism, designed to connect African tourism businesses with influential global buyers and media.

This year’s theme, Shaping Africa’s tomorrow, through connection today! is a nod to the event’s growing focus on collaboration, investment, innovation, and expanding tourism opportunities across the continent.

The indaba – officially opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is delivering the keynote address – will hopefully unlock billions for Africa’s tourism economy while attracting fresh international investment to the country.

Why this event matters

For three days, Durban becomes the meeting point for the global tourism industry. It’s where deals are signed, connections are made, and future travel trends are shaped. The show connects:

• International travel buyers
• Airlines and hospitality groups
• Safari and tour operators
• Destination marketing organisations
• Tourism tech and travel service companies
• Media and content creators

Before the main exhibition even begins, the dedicated BONDay (Business Opportunity Networking Day) provides a platform for thought leadership and knowledge-sharing between industry experts.

Tourism officials say South Africa’s recovery continues to gain momentum, with international arrivals increasing by more than 12% in March alone. More than 2.9 million inbound travellers visited the country during the first quarter of 2026, while tourism now supports close to one million direct jobs nationwide.

Durban’s time to shine

For Durban, hosting Africa’s Travel Indaba is a great opportunity to showcase why KwaZulu-Natal is one of South Africa’s most exciting tourism destinations. Delegates visiting the city this week will experience Durban’s famous warm weather, beachfront lifestyle, nightlife, food scene, and culture firsthand.

Beyond the city, KZN delivers an incredible mix of experiences:

• The dramatic mountains of uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
• Wildlife and safari adventures in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
• Beach escapes along the KZN South Coast and North Coast
• The biodiversity of iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Historic Battlefields routes
• The incredible Nelson Mandela Capture Site
• Vibrant Zulu cultural experiences
• Adventure tourism, from diving to hiking and surfing

This is another great chance to show the world why Durban earned its ranking of 14th on Time Out’s prestigious list of ‘The Best Places to Travel in 2026’!

Heading to the event and still need accommodation? Check out these properties near the Durban ICC.

TIME OUT RECOMMENDS:

📍 The best things to do in Durban
😋 The best restaurants in Durban
🏨 The best hotels in Durban
🛏️ Where to stay in Durban

Time Out makes a small commission from the affiliate links included in this article. These links have no influence on our editorial content, but they do help us to bring you more recommendations every week. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.