WTM AFRICA SET TO IGNITE AFRICAN TOURISM
Cape Town is set to welcome over 5 000 tourism industry professionals for the 2025 edition of World Travel Market (WTM) Africa.
WTM Africa, the continent’s leading and only B2B exhibition for both inbound and outbound travel and tourism market, taking place at the CTICC from 9 -11 April 2025.
Under the theme Ignite Africa, WTM Africa 2025 brings together leaders in leisure tourism, luxury travel, LGBTQ+ travel, MICE/business travel, sport tourism, Tourism Investment, Responsible Tourism among others – delivering meaningful networking and collaboration opportunities for the African tourism industry.
“We’re creating a space for real conversation, connection and collaboration, and bringing together the best minds in the industry to shape the future of African tourism,” says RX Africa Portfolio Director Megan De Jager.
Cape Town has successfully hosted WTM Africa for over a decade with a strong backing from the City of Cape Town being an instrumental partner in the event’s growth.
“We cannot wait to welcome travel and tourism professionals from around the world,” says Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
“WTM Africa has established itself as the premier travel and tourism expo on the continent and is key to unlocking African tourism’s enormous potential. If last year’s success is anything to go by, 2025 promises to be the biggest and most well-attended yet.”
A Robust Program for 2025
For the first time in its 12-year history, the event will introduce focused content clusters, which will offer a mix of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and practical workshops.
Key topics will include sustainable aviation, artificial intelligence (AI) in tourism, and next-generation marketing strategies. Additionally, the event will feature:
A half-day aviation conference exploring industry challenges and opportunities.
The Africa Tourism Investment Conference, in partnership with JLL, to discuss the future of tourism investments across the continent.
A youth development section, focusing on career opportunities and skills development for young adults in tourism, alongside a session spotlighting young African leaders in tourism.
Attendees can also look forward to an exclusive State of the Industry report and interactive brain box sessions aimed at skills development and knowledge sharing.
A Growing Event with Global Impact
WTM Africa 2024 saw impressive growth, with a 53% increase in attendees compared to the previous year and participation from 88 countries worldwide.
The event also attracted a strong presence of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and newcomers to the industry, signaling a promising future for African tourism.
“WTM Africa is the perfect platform for both established tourism giants and industry newcomers,” De Jager adds.
“It’s a place to learn, network, and celebrate the diversity and opportunities within our industry.”
Africa Travel Week Highlights
As part of Africa Travel Week, the nexus for travel professionals across the globe, Cape Town is also hosting ILTM Africa (April 6-8) at the Norval Foundation, focusing on luxury tourism and art.
“We’re celebrating art as a key component of luxury tourism,” says De Jager.
“This is a top-tier event for international buyers with significant purchasing power.”
Moreover, participants at WTM Africa will have access to concurrent events like Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings (IBTM Africa), EQUAL Africa powered by IGLTA, and Travel Tech, offering a comprehensive experience at no extra charge.
