WITH 528 qualified hosted and non-hosted buyers confirmed from 34 countries, the 2026 Africa Travel Indaba continues to show its pedigree.
To be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Center, Durban from May 11 to 14, ATI also looks forward welcoming 210 qualified hosted and non-hosted buyers attending the show for the first time, signalling the event’s continued ability to attract new entrants and unlock fresh opportunities.
Of these buyers, 137 hosted and 73 non-hosted buyers are first-time participants at Africa’s Travel Indaba, according to the South African Tourism, who are the organisers of ATI.
These buyers span a mix of established and emerging markets, including Australia, Brazil, India and Japan amongst other traditional core markets to South Africa.
Over 479 exhibitor applications have been received, reflecting strong ongoing commitment from across the tourism sector.
The opening of the online diary, currently scheduled for 24 April 2026 will be brought forward, according to SAT.
Growth from the African continent remains a strong focus, with first-time buyers confirmed from Botswana, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Namibia, alongside broader regional participation.
“We are dedicated to delivering maximum value to our exhibitors by ensuring that key decision makers from all of our important source markets are considered in our evaluation criteria” says SAT- Acting CEO, Dr Shamilla Chettiar.
Recently, the agency made key personnel appointments ahead of the Indaba, that means more hands on the deck.
The minister of Tourism, Patricia De Lille, will give a keynote address.
Africa’s Travel Indaba remains one of the continent’s most important tourism marketing platforms, connecting African tourism products with international and regional markets through a curated environment designed to support meaningful business outcomes, and reflects a strategic opening to the trade programme, provides exhibitors, media, and buyers with shared market intelligence to deepen informed engagements beyond the show and its activities.
Popular BONDay returns in 2026 with a refreshed half-day plenary programme on Monday 11, designed to deliver focused insight into evolving travel demand, distribution shifts, air access developments (soaring fuel due to instability in Iran) and emerging opportunities for African tourism businesses.
Black owned Synergy Business Events has been appointed as the official Exhibition Management Company for AIT.
Interested buyers and exhibitors can obtain additional information by visiting www.indaba-southafrica.co.za
