Intra-African trade and the relaxation of travel restrictions have once again taken centre stage at the 2026 Africa’s Travel Indaba, in Durban. Delegates and exhibitors from across the continent are urging African governments to strengthen ties and work towards dissolving borders through tourism.
Exhibitors and industry leaders have been encouraged to use the next few days of the Africa Travel Indaba to secure business deals that will help improve the continent. https://t.co/2TiDGA6tYZ pic.twitter.com/sTlRp1GlHD
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 13, 2026
This while South Africa has seen a number of protests recently over illegal foreign nationals.
Chunky Mdluli-Dlamini from the Eswatini Tourism Authority says co-existence among Africans would not be a challenge if the continent collaborated more effectively and ensured that wealth remained within Africa.
RELATED VIDEO | Africa’s Travel Indaba underway in Durban
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SA Tourism Spokesperson Thandiwe Mathibela says they are ready to host Africa’s Travel Indaba. The Indaba which starts on Tuesday in Durban, is expected to contribute R190 million to the province’s economy.https://t.co/RjlZV6YO9R#MorningLive #SABCNews
— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) May 12, 2026
“I think it is very important, but at the same time, if you are living in another country, you must have legal documents. Nobody wants people to stay without proper documentation. However, from a tourism perspective, we should encourage intra-African trade and tourism. We should not always see overseas destinations as the ideal option. Yes, for people abroad, it is often not expensive to buy travel packages in Africa, which is why we are saying let us collaborate as Africans, let us work together. Let us move freely between countries and visit destinations like Eswatini, South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, and Zambia. In doing so, we can help create employment within Africa. Let us promote our own tourism products, including our local guides and tour operators who are actively building and supporting our destinations,” says Mdluli-Dlamini.
Meanwhile, Lesotho’s head of strategic marketing Phomolo Lebotsa has called for more discussions that would assist in finding solutions to improve intra-Africa trade through tourism.
“I think this is a really topical issue, in the sense that we are losing out as a region because we are not able to integrate effectively. We should easily have tourists and visitors hopping from South Africa to Lesotho, Eswatini, and so on. This intra-African tourism movement is not happening as well as it should, and I think it is one of the key topical issues being discussed here at Indaba,” says Lebotsa.
RELATED VIDEO | Exhibitors are showcasing their tourism products at Africa’s Travel Indaba
