South African Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has urged investors to assist in efforts to reshape the country and position Africa as a global tourism powerhouse.
De Lille said this at the launch of the inaugural Tourism Investment Summit in Cape Town on Wednesday, 10 September.
The summit brought together global leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders to promote investment and build a strong pipeline for South Africa’s tourism sector, supporting the country’s broader economic development objectives.
September is Tourism Month in South Africa and the sector contributes significantly to the country’s economy. Tourism contributes at least 8,5% to South Africa’s GDP. In July alone, Mzansi welcomed over 880 000 visitors, which is a 26% increase compared to the previous year.
According to UN Tourism, South African startups attracted over $39 million in venture capital between 2019 and 2024. This is more than half of the continent’s total in tourism solutions.
De Lille said it is no cliché to say South Africa is the most beautiful country in the world.
“From the meeting of two great oceans to the sweeping Kalahari Desert, from our iconic safaris to our modern skylines, our beauty is undisputed. But the question before us today is not whether South Africa is beautiful. The question is: What more can we offer the world?,” she said.
The Minister added that the G20 Tourism Investment for Jobs, Growth, and Transformation is a reminder that this is not just about business but livelihoods.
There are eight projects representing nearly R1 billion in investment ready opportunities including the popular God’s Window Skywalk in Mpumalanga and the Hole in the Wall Resort in the Eastern Cape.
“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.
“Through the Government of National Unity, we have demonstrated that policy shifts unlock growth. As of 1 June 2025, the Amended National Treasury Regulation 16 for Public-Private Partnerships came into effect. These changes allow us to embrace models from Design-Build-Operate partnerships to blended finance and even crowdfunding,” she added.
On Friday, 12 September, South Africa will again host the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Mpumalanga.
The event will gather Tourism Ministers to finalise an action plan aimed at advancing sustainable tourism development across G20 member nations.
