World Journey Market (WTM) Africa 2025 formally opened right this moment with unprecedented international participation, welcoming business professionals from a report 96 international locations below the theme “Ignite Africa”. The occasion indicators sturdy restoration and progress in African tourism, with important will increase in each purchaser and exhibitor numbers.
In her opening deal with, Carol Weaving, Managing Director of RX Africa, highlighted the occasion’s spectacular progress: “Now we have 96 international locations represented this 12 months, which is the largest World Journey Market Africa in eleven years. Now we have a 27% enhance in consumers this 12 months and 82% of those are new to World Journey Market Africa, which is superb 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 international locations, together with Peru, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Romania, Finland, Eire, and Kuwait.
Opening1
Alderman James Vos, Cape City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Financial Progress and Tourism, welcomed delegates to “one of the best metropolis on the planet,” noting that “Cape City was now ranked as one of the best metropolis on the planet by Time Out for 2025, transferring up from the second place final 12 months.”
Vos went on to share key statistics that replicate 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 campaigns reached over 68 million individuals in India alone – with greater than 130 million web page impressions inside only one month.
Throughout his deal with, Vos outlined his five-point programme to drive tourism progress 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 stated, citing current engagements with airways in India about launching direct routes between Cape City and Indian cities. Related efforts can be made later this 12 months throughout an official go to to China.
His plan additionally consists of increasing town’s cruise economic system, rising conferences and occasions, implementing intelligent vacation spot advertising, and investing in additional sights and experiences with geographic unfold.
Vos careworn that every one these efforts are underpinned by funding into infrastructure resilience – together with water safety tasks; impartial vitality technology; 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 business. It’s a sport changer for companies and communities. And tourism isn’t simply in regards to the locations we go to. It’s additionally in regards to the individuals we empower.”
WTM Africa 2025 incorporates a complete programme together with accountable tourism awards, content material periods throughout 5 theatres, journey tech showcases, and specialised occasions centered on enterprise tourism, eco-tourism, and tourism funding. The occasion has generated 38,559 appointment requests, reflecting its critical enterprise nature.
Weaving concluded her remarks by emphasising the human aspect driving African tourism success: “Africa’s persons are our superpower”.
Key Stats & Highlights from WTM Africa 2025
World Attain & Illustration
96 international locations represented — the most important quantity in WTM Africa’s 11-year historical past.13 new international locations attending for the primary time, together with:Peru, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Romania, Finland, Eire, Kuwait.
Purchaser Progress
27% enhance in consumers in comparison with earlier years.A placing 82% of those consumers are new to WTM Africa, indicating each sturdy outreach and increasing international curiosity.
Media Presence
28% enhance in media attendance, supporting elevated visibility for exhibitors and locations.
Exhibitor Enlargement
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.
Supply hyperlink
