World Journey Market (WTM) Africa 2025 formally opened right now with unprecedented world participation, welcoming trade professionals from a document 96 nations underneath the theme “Ignite Africa”. The occasion indicators robust restoration and development in African tourism, with vital will increase in each purchaser and exhibitor numbers.
In her opening tackle, Carol Weaving, Managing Director of RX Africa, highlighted the occasion’s spectacular development: “We now have 96 nations represented this yr, which is the most important World Journey Market Africa in eleven years. We now have a 27% enhance in consumers this yr and 82% of those are new to World Journey Market Africa, which is wonderful for our exhibitors.”
The eleventh version of WTM Africa options 742 exhibitors, with first-time participation from six new locations: Zambia, Netherlands, Qatar, Croatia, Sierra Leone and São Paulo. The occasion has additionally attracted 13 new purchaser nations, together with Peru, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Romania, Finland, Eire, and Kuwait.
Alderman James Vos, Cape City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Financial Development and Tourism, welcomed delegates to “the most effective metropolis on this planet,” noting that “Cape City was now ranked as the most effective metropolis on this planet by Time Out for 2025, transferring up from the second place final yr.”
Vos went on to share key statistics that mirror Cape City’s rising function as a journey hub:
- 226 worldwide flights land weekly, connecting Cape City to 31 locations.
- A complete of 76 cruise ships are scheduled this season.
- Focused advertising and marketing campaigns reached over 68 million folks in India alone – with greater than 130 million web page impressions inside only one month.
Throughout his tackle, Vos outlined his five-point programme to drive tourism development in Cape City, beginning with touchdown extra flights. “The extra flights we land, the extra guests we appeal to, the extra jobs we create,” he mentioned, citing current engagements with airways in India about launching direct routes between Cape City and Indian cities. Related efforts can be made later this yr throughout an official go to to China.
His plan additionally consists of increasing the town’s cruise financial system, rising conferences and occasions, implementing intelligent vacation spot advertising and marketing, and investing in additional sights and experiences with geographic unfold.
Vos confused that every one these efforts are underpinned by funding into infrastructure resilience – together with water safety tasks; unbiased power era; expanded public transport; enhanced legislation enforcement deployment; and visa reform initiatives geared toward enhancing entry:
“One of many largest boundaries to journey is entry. That’s why I champion visa reform – to make it simpler for guests to decide on South Africa – and in the end Cape City.”
Each leaders highlighted the significance of tourism as an financial driver, with Vos stating: “Tourism is extra than simply an trade. It’s a recreation changer for companies and communities. And tourism isn’t simply concerning the locations we go to. It’s additionally concerning the folks we empower.”
WTM Africa 2025 encompasses a complete programme together with accountable tourism awards, content material periods throughout 5 theatres, journey tech showcases, and specialised occasions targeted on enterprise tourism, eco-tourism, and tourism funding. The occasion has generated 38,559 appointment requests, reflecting its severe enterprise nature.
Weaving concluded her remarks by emphasising the human factor driving African tourism success: “Africa’s persons are our superpower”.
Key Stats & Highlights from WTM Africa 2025
International Attain & Illustration
- 96 nations represented — the biggest quantity in WTM Africa’s 11-year historical past.
- 13 new nations attending for the primary time, together with:
- Peru, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Romania, Finland, Eire, Kuwait.
Purchaser Development
- 27% enhance in consumers in comparison with earlier years.
- A putting 82% of those consumers are new to WTM Africa, indicating each robust outreach and increasing world curiosity.
Media Presence
- 28% enhance in media attendance, supporting elevated visibility for exhibitors and locations.
Exhibitor Growth
- 742 complete exhibitors.
- Illustration from 6 new exhibiting locations:
- Zambia, Netherlands, Qatar, Croatia, Sierra Leone & São Paulo (Brazil).
Enterprise Alternatives
- A record-breaking 38,559 appointment requests made, reflecting heightened buyer-supplier engagement and B2B exercise.
