The second G20 Tourism Working Group meeting opened today in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, at the Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel and Conference Centre. Key figures including South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Patricia de Lille, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Rev. Musa Zondi, and eThekwini Metro Mayor, Cllr. Cyril Xaba, led the event.
This meeting marks a significant milestone as it is the first time a G20 Tourism event has been held on South African soil during the country’s G20 presidency. Minister de Lille stressed that South Africa’s involvement, alongside the African Union, brings a crucial voice to global conversations, especially regarding issues impacting developing nations and the African continent.
Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” South Africa is placing tourism innovation, air connectivity improvements, and inclusive tourism policies at the forefront of the discussions. De Lille noted that the outcomes of the three-day meeting would influence decisions made by G20 Tourism Ministers in September and contribute to discussions at the G20 summit in Johannesburg later this year.
Premier Ntuli expressed pride in hosting this landmark event, emphasizing the role of tourism in bridging cultures and economies. He pointed out that the meeting’s timing with Africa’s Travel Indaba, one of the continent’s largest tourism trade shows, enhances Durban’s position as a global tourism hub.
