World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026, the continent’s largest tourism and hospitality trade show, kicked off this week at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Running from 13 – 15 April 2026, WTM Africa is a gathering of thousands of industry professionals, investors, and leading exhibitors from across the globe, coming together for deal-making and discussions that shape the future of travel and tourism around the continent. This year’s event brings together over 570 exhibitors, with attendees from 100 countries.
The event was opened by Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, who noted the industry’s expansion in Cape Town and its impact on residents.
‘Hosting WTM Africa in Cape Town is no coincidence. It reflects our position as a leading global destination and a gateway to the continent’s tourism economy. Through our multi-year agreement, we are ensuring that this platform continues to bring thousands of trade professionals together right here in our city, creating real opportunities for local businesses, and unlocking growth across the sector,’ said Alderman Vos.
‘At the end of 2022, we were celebrating 184 international flights per week into Cape Town. This past peak season, which concluded in March, that number grew to over 230 flights every single week. Alongside this is the growth in employment: in 2022, tourism supported just over 89 000 jobs in Cape Town. Two years later, in 2024, that number increased to more than 106 000 people, nearly seven percent of our city’s entire workforce. This growth didn’t happen by chance; it is the result of focused work, strong partnerships, and a deliberate strategy,’ said Alderman Vos.
Outlining future growth ambitions, Alderman Vos said he and officials are currently putting the final touches on the City’s new Tourism Framework.
‘We are now finalising our new Tourism Framework, which I believe will be a game-changer for how we grow this sector over the coming years. Our intention with this framework is clear: by 2030, we aim to grow arrivals to nearly 3,4 million travellers, unlock R34 billion in visitor spending, and most importantly, double tourism jobs to over 200 000 Capetonians.
‘These are not just targets on paper, they reflect what I am working to achieve through focused policy, stronger partnerships, and sustained momentum in the sector. I hope that this framework will fundamentally expand opportunity, ensuring that tourism growth translates into real jobs, real business prospects, and real economic inclusion for more Capetonians.
‘But beyond the numbers, it’s about building a more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable tourism economy, one that reaches more communities, creates more opportunities, and benefits more people,’ said Alderman Vos.
In the final words of his address, he urged delegates to take the opportunity to visit some of the Mother City’s attractions and vote in the World Travel Awards Africa.
‘There’s a reason Cape Town is nominated for Leading City Destination, Leading Beach Destination, Leading Business Travel Destination, and Leading Festival and Event Destination. I hope you’re all able to experience that reason during your stay,’ he said.
