South African Tourism has officially partnered with the Africa Coastal Marine Tourism Trade Market 2026, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable tourism development and the advancement of Africa’s blue economy.
In addition to being a strategic partner, the organisation will sponsor the Trade Market Networking Event and exhibit during the multi-day gathering, further strengthening its presence at one of the continent’s key tourism platforms.
The Africa Coastal Marine Tourism Trade Market 2026 will take place from 17 to 20 March 2026 at the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The event is positioned as a premier continental platform focused on unlocking opportunities in coastal and marine tourism, with strong emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
Multi-Day Programme Showcasing Africa’s Coastal Potential
The programme opens on 17 March 2026 with a Golf Day, designed to create informal networking opportunities for industry leaders, investors, and decision-makers.
This will be followed by the Main Trade Exhibition and Conference on 18 and 19 March, where exhibitors, buyers, policymakers, and tourism stakeholders will engage on trade opportunities, policy direction, and best practices in coastal and maritime tourism development.
The event concludes on 20 March with a dedicated Career Day aimed at tourism and hospitality students. This youth-focused initiative is designed to bridge the gap between education and industry by exposing young people to career pathways within the marine and coastal tourism sector.
Organisers say the structure of the event intentionally combines business development, knowledge sharing, and skills development under one roof.
Strengthening the Blue Economy Through Tourism
The Africa Coastal Marine Tourism Trade Market brings together entrepreneurs, government leaders, investors, buyers, tourism professionals, students, and private sector stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.
Its core objective is to unlock the potential of the blue economy by fostering partnerships that support sustainable coastal tourism, trade, and long-term economic development.
By partnering with the event, South African Tourism reinforces the country’s position as a leading coastal destination and a strategic gateway for tourism growth on the continent. The partnership also aligns with broader national and continental priorities around sustainability, job creation, and inclusive economic participation.
Role of South African Tourism
South African Tourism is the official tourism marketing arm of the South African government, mandated to promote the country both domestically and internationally as a destination for leisure, business, and events tourism.
Since 1994, the organisation has evolved from a limited international presence into a globally recognised tourism body with offices worldwide. Its mission is to share what is unique, warm, and compelling about South Africa through authentic travel experiences.
Beyond marketing, the organisation places strong emphasis on transformation and inclusive development, ensuring tourism contributes meaningfully to both economic growth and social progress.
Tourism Growth Strategy and National Impact
A key long-term objective for South African Tourism is to position tourism as one of the leading economic sectors in the country.
Through its Tourism Growth Strategy, the organisation focuses on:
- Increasing tourist arrivals
- Expanding the geographic spread of tourism
- Encouraging longer stays and higher visitor spend
- Improving seasonal travel patterns
- Driving industry transformation to benefit historically disadvantaged South Africans
The partnership with the Africa Coastal Marine Tourism Trade Market directly supports these goals, particularly in promoting regional integration and positioning southern Africa as a connected and diverse tourism destination.
A Strategic Platform for Africa’s Coastal Future
With global attention increasingly focused on responsible travel and environmental protection, coastal and marine tourism presents both major opportunities and important challenges for African destinations.
The Africa Coastal Marine Tourism Trade Market is expected to play a vital role in shaping discussions around sustainable coastal tourism, encouraging innovation, supporting responsible investment, and creating practical pathways for inclusive growth within the blue economy.
Industry participants and interested attendees can find more information and register via the official event platform – https://confspot.co.za/list/africa-coastal-marine-tourism-2026-day-1/.
