South Africa has confirmed the official dates for its two flagship tourism trade shows in 2026, with Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille announcing the return of Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel INDABA — two cornerstone events that continue to define the African continent’s presence in the global tourism landscape.
Meetings Africa will take place from 23 to 25 February 2026, with the Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) on 22 February 2026.
Africa’s Travel INDABA will follow later in the year, on 11 to 14 May 2026, with BONDay scheduled for 10 May 2026.
Announcing the dates, Minister de Lille highlighted the significance of these events, noting that they represent much more than annual entries on the calendar. She described them as important milestones for African tourism and business events, reinforcing South Africa’s commitment to hosting world-class gatherings and strengthening partnerships across the global tourism community.
For nearly two decades, Meetings Africa has served as the continent’s premier platform for the MICE sector, attracting international buyers, associations, and corporate decision-makers seeking business opportunities throughout Africa. The show continues to position Africa as a capable, creative, and competitive destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, while contributing meaningfully to South Africa’s business-events economy.
Meanwhile, Africa’s Travel Indaba remains one of the world’s most respected leisure tourism showcases. It brings together a diverse range of African tourism products, from established operators to emerging community-based enterprises, offering unparalleled visibility for destinations and creators of African tourism experiences. The event plays a vital role in connecting the continent’s tourism offerings with international buyers and global media.
Both shows contribute significantly to economic growth by supporting small tourism businesses, creating jobs, and opening new market opportunities. Their influence helps drive inclusive and sustainable tourism development across South Africa and the wider continent.
South African Tourism has also launched a competitive bidding process to appoint host cities for both trade shows from 2026 for the next five years. The process is designed to ensure continued innovation, regional participation, and fresh opportunities for stakeholders while maintaining the high standards these events are known for.
As the sector prepares for 2026, the confirmed dates reinforce South Africa’s strong leadership in shaping the future of African tourism and promoting collaboration across the global travel industry.
