Tourism Business Council of South Africa

17/06/2026

Recently, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) participated in a series of tourism industry workshops in George and Oudtshoorn, bringing together tourism businesses, SMMEs, product owners, municipalities and industry stakeholders from across the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region.

During the workshops, the TBCSA engaged with stakeholders on tourism growth, destination development, industry collaboration and opportunities to strengthen tourism's contribution to local economies.

The sessions also provided a platform for participants to discuss opportunities and challenges facing tourism businesses, while exploring practical approaches to supporting tourism growth and sustainability across the region.

16/06/2026

Today, we celebrate the energy, talent and contribution of young people across South Africa’s tourism sector.

At the TBCSA, young professionals continue to play an important role in supporting the organisation's work and the broader tourism industry.

“As someone who started my journey at the TBCSA as an intern, I understand the value of being given an opportunity to learn, grow and gain experience. Those opportunities can help young people build confidence, develop practical skills and find their place within the tourism sector.”
– Snegugu Dlomo, Events and Membership Coordinator, Tourism Business Council of South Africa

Happy Youth Day, South Africa.

15/06/2026

Few experiences capture the beauty of Cape Town quite like a trip to the top of Table Mountain.

If a visit to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is on your travel plans this winter, take note that the Cableway will be closed for its annual maintenance shutdown from 27 July to 9 August 2026.

The temporary closure allows for essential inspections, testing and maintenance work to be carried out, helping ensure the Cableway continues to operate according to international safety standards.

The Cableway is expected to reopen on 10 August 2026, weather permitting.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/ZAKeZXv

15/06/2026

Cape Town's recent recognition as Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major represents more than a milestone for sport. It is also a significant moment for tourism and destination development.

The Abbott World Marathon Majors series includes some of the world's most recognised marathon events, such as Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo and Sydney. Cape Town now joins this prestigious global platform as the first host city on the African continent.

According to the organisers, the achievement is expected to generate substantial economic benefits through increased visitor arrivals, travel, accommodation and tourism-related spending, reinforcing the important role that major events can play in supporting local economies and destination growth.

The milestone also strengthens Cape Town's position as a globally recognised tourism destination and creates new opportunities to showcase South Africa to international audiences.

Read more about Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major: https://buff.ly/4hEnL2h

12/06/2026

What are the key priorities needed to grow demand, strengthen competitiveness and support sustainable tourism growth in South Africa?

Taking place from 27- 28 October 2026 at Sun City Resort in the North West province, the TBCSA Tourism Leadership Conference 2026 will bring together tourism businesses, associations, policymakers, academics, media and sector stakeholders from across the tourism value chain.

As TBCSA marks 30 years of supporting South Africa's tourism private sector, this year's conference will explore the opportunities, challenges and practical actions required to strengthen the industry's competitiveness, sustainability and long-term growth.

With more than 400 delegates expected to attend, the conference remains one of the sector's leading platforms for industry engagement, networking and collaboration.

Visit the registration page for conference information, programme updates and early bird registration details.

Register here: https://buff.ly/4zWZnzv

11/06/2026

As Bafana Bafana prepares for its opening FIFA World Cup fixture, the tournament also serves as a reminder of the important role major sporting events can play in supporting tourism growth and destination visibility.

South Africa experienced this first-hand during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which showcased the country to millions of viewers around the world and helped strengthen awareness of South Africa as a tourism destination.

Beyond the matches themselves, major sporting events can leave lasting tourism legacies through improved infrastructure, enhanced destination visibility and increased international visitor interest.

The TBCSA wishes Bafana Bafana every success in their World Cup campaign and celebrates the important role that sport continues to play in connecting people, destinations and tourism opportunities around the world.

Explore how hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup helped shape South Africa's tourism sector: https://buff.ly/NjxPIo6

11/06/2026

Tourism is shaped by a wide range of experiences, businesses and ideas. Sometimes, the greatest impact comes not only from serving visitors, but from helping prepare the people who will one day lead the sector.

As part of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa's Youth-Led Tourism Initiatives Competition, Andulela S**a of Arté was selected as one of the 2025 winners and received a complimentary experience to attend the TBCSA Tourism Leadership Conference, at Sun City.

Speaking at the conference, she shared the importance of creating opportunities for young people entering the tourism and hospitality sector. Through networking and industry engagement, her work helps connect students with professionals and expose them to the realities of the working world.

Operating from the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre, Arté combines hospitality services with skills development opportunities for aspiring tourism and hospitality professionals, helping bridge the gap between education and employment.

Watch the full interview to hear how Andulela is using hospitality as a platform for skills development and industry engagement: https://buff.ly/u5ICIch

10/06/2026

The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector continues to play an important role in supporting tourism growth, investment attraction and economic activity across destinations.

Topics such as destination competitiveness, revenue optimisation, business event attraction and the application of new technologies remain important considerations as destinations compete for a greater share of the global business events market.

The upcoming Africa Business Tourism and MICE Masterclass, supported by industry stakeholders including the Southern Africa Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI), a member association of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), will explore a range of topics shaping the future of business events across the continent.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/8ia0oBm

Africa Business Tourism and MICE Masterclass 2026 unveils programme focused on growth, AI and sustainability.

10/06/2026

The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) is inviting submissions for the 2026 Youth-Led Tourism Initiatives Competition, which recognises young people whose tourism initiatives are creating meaningful impact within the sector.

Whether through entrepreneurship, community development, technology, skills development, destination promotion or innovative tourism experiences, the competition aims to highlight initiatives that contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of tourism in South Africa.

Four standout initiatives will be recognised with a full complimentary experience at the TBCSA Tourism Leadership Conference 2026.

To enter, email your submission to [email protected] with the subject line: Youth-Led Tourism Initiatives Competition Entry.

Include your story in the body of the email and attach any supporting material that demonstrates the impact of your initiative. Only one submission is permitted per initiative.

Entries close on 4 July 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

09/06/2026

As South Africa's tourism sector looks to diversify its source markets, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is emerging as a promising opportunity for future growth.

According to insights shared during a recent SATSA webinar, travellers from the GCC region are among the world's highest-spending outbound tourists. They are also increasingly seeking family-friendly holidays, luxury experiences, nature-based tourism and longer-stay destinations.

These travel preferences align closely with South Africa's tourism offering, from wildlife and outdoor experiences to luxury accommodation and family travel options.

Combined with improving air connectivity and competitive value-for-money experiences, this presents an opportunity for South Africa to attract a greater share of travellers from the region.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/CuXDyXX

Industry leaders say South Africa is well positioned to attract more visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council region as demand for premium, experience-led travel continues to grow...