G20 will put SA at heart of world’s important economic conversations: Mashatile
Executive Summary
Deputy President Paul Mashatile stated at the Africa Travel Indaba in Durban that South Africa's government is removing travel barriers to enable seamless intercontinental journeys ahead of the G20 summit in November. He emphasized the summit's role in spotlighting Africa globally through over 200 meetings, aligning with Agenda 2063 and UN tourism goals, while highlighting tourism's economic impact—6.8% of Africa's GDP and 8.9% of South Africa's, supporting 1.68 million jobs—and the need to boost intra-African travel. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille reported 8.9 million visitors in 2024 with R91.6 billion in spending and a 6% rise in early 2025 arrivals, mostly from Africa, positioning the continent as a leader in sustainable growth and innovation.