World Travel Market Africa, the continent’s premier tourism gathering, returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre this week from 9 to 11 April 2025.
Taking place under the theme of ‘Ignite Africa’, the event will once again bring together industry leaders and roleplayers for panels, conferences, award ceremonies, and networking opportunities.
‘Cape Town is proud to welcome travel and tourism professionals from around the world to the Mother City for World Travel Market Africa 2025. This has become a must-attend event for anyone with an interest in tourism on the continent, and the 2025 programme is packed with conferences, meetings and discussion panels aimed at taking this crucial industry to new heights. We are eager to show delegates just why Cape Town is considered the continent’s leading tourist destination, and to be part of the conversations around growing every single aspect of travel to and within Africa. I wish the organisers and everyone attending a wonderfully successful WTM Africa,’ said Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
In addition to the continued focus on specific topics such as luxury travel, the LGBTQ+ visitor market, ‘bleisure’ travel, responsible tourism and investment opportunities, this year’s expo will see the new inclusion of platforms such as an aviation conference and a youth development section that will highlight career opportunities for young people looking to be part of the industry.
‘The City is once again proud to support WTM Africa because it brings together the top thinkers and brands that are helping to sustain and expand this continent’s incredible travel and tourism market. Not only is it the space for learning insights on where the industry is going, but it is also the site where real industry connections and collaborations are made that grow jobs and businesses.
‘Our mission is clear: to use platforms like WTM Africa to convert interest into arrivals, and arrivals into real economic opportunities for our local hospitality businesses. To do this, we must go back to our roots by playing to our strengths, our rich culture, diverse cuisine, thrilling adventure offerings, and vibrant communities filled with authentic products and places. This is what sets Cape Town apart, and this is how we will turn curiosity into confirmed bookings,’ said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.
The City will also be back at the market with another innovative stand that showcases the best of Cape Town.
‘This year, the City’s stand will centre on the ethos of responsible tourism and will feature several sustainable projects such as upcycled bags, and display cabinets made from previous WTM stand components. There will again be workspaces for delegates to hold private meetings, and the stand will showcase the iconic aspects of Cape Town that make us a must-visit destination,’ added Alderman Vos.
WTM Africa 2025 brings together around 5 752 industry professionals from around 99 countries. More than 10 505 pre-scheduled meetings and 126 conference sessions are set to take place over the event’s three days.
‘The City of Cape Town’s partnership with World Travel Market Africa goes back over a decade and the collaboration has been instrumental in shining the spotlight not only on tourism in Cape Town and South Africa, but for the rest of the continent. As Africa’s leading Travel and Tourism Trade Show, WTM Africa has been the perfect illustration of how events can be a catalyst for tourism and economic growth on the continent. The City is proud to support WTM Africa to ensure these conversations on igniting African tourism,’ said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
For more information on these and other events hosted in Cape Town visit www.eventsincapetown.com
