Cape Town – The tourism department received a major vote of confidence today as global leaders, including the United Arab Emirates, gathered in Cape Town for the inaugural G20 Tourism Investment Summit at Investec Bank in Cape Town.

Officially opening the ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille aka Aunty Pat, delivered an emphatic call to action for investors to see South Africa not just as a destination, but as a gateway to Africa.

“This is our inaugural Tourism Investment Summit, a G20 legacy project. Today, we are putting before you eight flagship, bankable projects, projects with strong return on investment and high community impact,” said Minister de Lille.

Among the high-profile delegates was Hon. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, signaling the UAE’s continued commitment to expanding its investment footprint in South Africa. This comes on the back of growing partnerships between the two nations in trade, infrastructure, and now large-scale tourism development. 

The UAE has invested in one of South Africa’s luxury hotels The One & Only through its Investment Corporation of Dubai.

De Lille underscored the economic potential:

• Tourism contributes 8.5% of South Africa’s GDP.
• In July alone, 880,000 visitors entered the country, a 26% increase year-on-year.
• Eight flagship projects are currently seeking close to R1 billion in investments, ranging from Mpumalanga’s God’s Window Skywalk to the Hole in the Wall Resort in the Eastern Cape.

The Minister also pointed to bold private sector projects already underway, including the V&A Waterfront’s R20 billion Granger Bay precinct and Club Med’s new Indian Ocean resort in KwaZulu-Natal.

De Lille stressed that the Government of National Unity is unlocking fresh pathways for investment through new public-private partnership (PPP) models, blended finance, and even crowdfunding approaches.

“Every Rand or Dollar invested is an opportunity created. Every partnership formed here will help us transform tourism into a driver of inclusive, sustainable prosperity,” said De Lille.

Beyond infrastructure, skills development is at the heart of South Africa’s strategy. UN Tourism announced the launch of 100 scholarships for demand-led skills development, ensuring the sector is equipped with the human capital to sustain long-term growth.

The Minister also highlighted the rollout of electronic travel authorizations later this month, which will make short-stay visas faster and simpler — a crucial step in boosting tourist arrivals.

From bidding for the Formula 1 rights at Kyalami, to hosting LIV Golf at Steyn City and preparing for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, South Africa is positioning itself as both a leisure and sports tourism giant.