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Cape Town, South Africa
Spotlight New Experiences In South Africa
South African Tourism has announced its 2026 Annual India Multi-City Roadshow, kicking off alongside its participation at Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) Mumbai 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen tourism partnerships and boost reciprocal travel, supported by strong business travel and visits to friends and relatives (VFR) between the two countries. The roadshow will run from February 5-7 2026, followed by events in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Delhi from February 9-12, 2026.
The 2026 roadshow will offer Indian trade stakeholders enhanced business networking opportunities, destination insights, and direct interaction with South Africa’s tourism industry leaders. Now in its 22nd edition, the roadshow will unveil a refreshed market strategy for India, spotlighting evolving traveller preferences, emerging travel segments, and new regional experiences. The initiative will be led by Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East, South African Tourism, and aims to build on the strong momentum generated in previous years.
Strengthening collaboration with Indian trade buyers, the roadshow will feature over 41 exhibitors from South Africa, including 8 SMMEs, reflecting South African Tourism’s continued focus on inclusive growth and product diversification. Notably, 17.1 per cent of participating exhibitors will introduce new products and experiences.
Commenting on the occasion, Mancotywa said, “India continues to be a critical growth driver for South African Tourism. The response to our roadshows has consistently demonstrated strong appetite and confidence in South Africa as a preferred long-haul destination. Through this roadshow, we aim to further empower our Indian trade partners with deeper destination knowledge, new product insights, and strategic tools to accelerate tourist arrivals from India.”
India remains not only a key source market but also an important partner in strengthening long-term bilateral tourism and trade relations. Enhancing travel accessibility continues to be a priority, with initiatives such as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system and the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) playing a crucial role in facilitating smoother and faster visa processing for Indian travellers. Discussions around improving air connectivity, including the potential introduction of direct flight routes between India and South Africa, are also ongoing.
Looking ahead to 2026, South African Tourism will continue to focus on priority traveller segments, including adventure enthusiasts, luxury travellers, family holidaymakers, and the MICE segment. India’s outbound travel profile continues to evolve, with growth observed across key working-age groups, particularly travellers aged 31–50 years, and an increased interest in immersive, experience-led itineraries. The MICE and business travel segments remain strategically important, collectively contributing a significant share of Indian arrivals, underscoring South Africa’s appeal as a destination for both leisure and business travel.
With sustained efforts around accessibility, trade engagement, and destination storytelling, and supported by global initiatives such as South Africa’s hosting of the 2027 ODI World Cup, the country is well positioned to spotlight its diverse tourism offerings and inspire travel from global markets, including India.
