South Africa’s Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille, has kicked off a special outreach programme in Ghana from March 26 to 28, aimed at deepening tourism partnerships and fostering cultural exchange between the two countries.
During her visit, de Lille is set to meet with Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla-Dzifa Gomashie, along with representatives from the South Africa-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, tourism stakeholders, key media, and trade officials. The focus is on positioning South Africa as a top destination for leisure tourism and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).
A significant step in the strengthening of ties between the two nations came in November 2023 with the easing of visa regulations, enabling citizens of both countries to travel visa-free for up to 90 days within a year. This move has played a crucial role in boosting tourism flows between the two nations, creating new opportunities for business and cultural exchange.
Minister de Lille pointed out the impressive growth in tourism from Ghana, with a 149% increase in Ghanaian visitors to South Africa in 2024 compared to the previous year. The number of visitors from Ghana surged to 36,656, largely driven by the visa waiver and South African Tourism’s ongoing marketing efforts.
“The relationship between Ghana and South Africa is incredibly important for our tourism sector, and this visit underlines our commitment to expanding these partnerships,” said de Lille. She also mentioned that Ghana has proven to be a key market for South Africa, with its growing tourism numbers reflecting the positive impact of the visa relaxation.
“Minister @PatriciaDeLille engaging tourism trade stakeholders and media in Ghana as part of a special outreach programme to build stronger partnerships for tourism growth between South Africa and Ghana”.#WeDoTourism pic.twitter.com/1xw0w5nZGm
— Dept of Tourism (@Tourism_gov_za) March 27, 2025De Lille’s visit comes at a pivotal time as South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit, further cementing the country’s standing on the global stage. The Minister stressed the importance of intra-African travel, not only for tourism but also for driving economic growth and fostering cultural exchange across the continent.
In addition to her discussions with Ghanaian officials, de Lille’s visit will also provide a platform for both countries to strengthen their bilateral tourism relations.
