South Africa is setting sail towards a new chapter in tourism development, as the Coastal Marine & Waterways Tourism Investment Summit prepares to take place from 23 to 24 September 2025 in Hartbeespoort, Madibeng Local Municipality, North West Province.
The event, organised by the Africa Coastal Marine and Maritime Alliance (ACMMTA) in partnership with the Madibeng Local Municipality, builds on the momentum of the Africa Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Trade Market held earlier in April 2025. That gathering successfully highlighted the vast potential of marine and maritime tourism across the continent, and this follow-up summit aims to turn ideas into investment.
A National Platform for Coastal and Inland Tourism
The National Department of Tourism (NDT) has been a driving force in developing South Africa’s coastal marine tourism subsector. With its involvement, the summit intends to become a national platform for:
- * Aligning policies and strategies on waterways tourism.
- * Showcasing priority projects.
- * Mobilising stakeholders to collaborate on investment, sustainability, and enterprise development.
- * Encouraging community-based tourism that creates jobs and empowers youth.
Key Stakeholders Expected
The two-day summit will bring together 150 delegates, including national, provincial, and local government representatives, tourism investors, academic institutions, and community operators. Public entities such as SAMSA, SAIMI, Nelson Mandela University, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and South African Tourism (Cruise Desk) are also expected to attend.
This broad mix of stakeholders highlights a central theme of the summit: collaboration across government, industry, and communities to unlock the country’s “blue economy.”
Programme Highlights
The theme for 2025 is “Unlocking the Potential of Coastal Marine & Waterways Tourism for Sustainable Development.”
Over the two days, the programme will feature:
- * A Keynote Address by the Deputy Minister of Tourism on South Africa’s national vision for marine and inland tourism.
- * Policy discussions on provincial tourism strategies, maritime safety regulations, and environmental sustainability.
- * Panels on public-private partnerships, community-led tourism, and the role of technology in enhancing visitor experiences.
- * A Gala Dinner and Tourism Excellence Awards hosted by Madibeng Municipality.
- * A site excursion and technical visits to explore real-world opportunities for investment in waterways tourism.
Why Hartbeespoort and Madibeng?
Hartbeespoort, nestled in the North West Province, has long been a popular inland water tourism destination. By hosting the summit here, the organisers aim to shine a spotlight on regions beyond the traditional coastal hubs. The Madibeng Local Municipality sees this as a chance to cement its role as a strategic node for long-term waterways tourism investment, community engagement, and blue economy development.
Looking Ahead
The summit is more than a conference—it is a call to action. With South Africa’s waterways and coastal assets still underdeveloped compared to their potential, stakeholders believe this event could help steer investment towards projects that generate sustainable growth, create jobs, and position the country as a leader in marine and inland tourism.
The success of the summit will ultimately depend on the partnerships it fosters. If all goes as planned, South Africa may well be on its way to becoming a powerhouse in the global blue economy, with Hartbeespoort as one of its key anchors.
For partnership enquiries, stakeholders are invited to connect with the organisers via tumi@marinetourism.co.za or 067 2221 5813.
