Africa’s flagship event for marine and coastal tourism is back! The Africa Coastal Marine & Maritime Tourism Trade Market 2026 (ACMMTTM) will be hosted from March 18 to 20, 2026, at the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Following the success of its 2025 edition, ACMMTTM returns with an expanded format, providing a robust platform for entrepreneurs, investors, tourism professionals, and government leaders to explore the limitless potential of Africa’s blue economy.
The three-day programme includes:
- March 18–19: The Main Trade Exhibition & Conference, with B2B networking, panel discussions, workshops, and showcases of coastal tourism products and investment-ready projects.
- March 20: A dedicated Career Day aimed at students in Tourism, Hospitality, Maritime, and Environmental Sciences to gain industry exposure, mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities.
- March 17: A pre-event Golf Day, designed to foster high-level networking between business leaders, sponsors, and public sector stakeholders.
With its central theme of “Unlocking Coastal Potential for Inclusive Growth,” the event will focus on sustainable tourism models, community-based development, maritime innovation, and the empowerment of women and youth in the industry.
Hosted in the coastal heart of the Eastern Cape, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), the event is uniquely positioned. As part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the city blends natural beauty, rich culture, and strategic port access—making it the perfect host city for global tourism and marine trade engagement.
The Port of Ngqura, a modern deep-water harbor, adds weight to the city’s role in facilitating trade, logistics, and blue economy innovation.
Organised by the Africa Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Alliance (ACMMTA), the event will highlight cross-continental collaboration and promote Africa as a leading global destination for sustainable, ocean-based tourism and investment.
Event registration, exhibitor applications, and sponsorship opportunities will open later this year via confspot.myvirgo.co.za, the official registration platform.