With Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) secured for the next five years, KwaZulu-Natal is shifting the story from a single-city showcase to a province-wide deal machine.
Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) brings global credibility – now strengthened by its World Trade Centre status – while the experience spills across the North and South Coasts, the Midlands and the Drakensberg.
The result? A MICE ecosystem that pairs serious conference infrastructure with unforgettable regional incentives, moving delegates (and spend) beyond the beachfront.
This is not just where Africa gathers in May; it’s where partnerships, pipelines and repeat travel are built all year. KwaZulu-Natal isn’t offering one venue – it’s offering a moving destination that meets investors where the opportunity is.
KwaZulu-Natal’s five-year ATI mandate converts a headline win into long-range certainty for business events. Durban ICC’s World Trade Centre designation anchors international confidence, while KZN’s diversified MICE footprint channels benefits to uMhlanga-Ballito, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, the Midlands and the Drakensberg.
The province is packaging high-end conferences with incentive-grade experiences, turning meetings into measurable outcomes: stronger pipelines, wider SMME participation and repeat visitation.
In short, KZN is no longer a single stop – it’s a connected grid of venues, suppliers and experiences designed to make Africa’s premier travel marketplace work for the whole province.
Durban ICC: global credibility, local energy
“The World Trade Centre designation is a game-changer,” says Lindiwe Rakharebe, CEO of the Durban ICC. “It places Durban within a network of more than 300 WTCs across nearly 100 countries – positioning us as a trusted global hub for tourism, business and investment.”
During last year’s ATI, hotel occupancy in Durban hit nearly 90%. Restaurants were full, taxis busy and suppliers thriving.
Business-backed momentum
Palesa Phili, CEO of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC says that ATI connects tourism and film stakeholders from across the province with international investors and creative industries – driving partnerships that strengthen KwaZulu-Natal’s wider visitor economy.
“The event generates real value for both corporates and SMMEs – from new business contracts and co-productions to enhanced brand visibility in global markets. Its ripple effect is felt throughout KZN; supporting jobs, boosting confidence and positioning the province as a dynamic business and creative hub.”
Jaya Naidoo, general manager of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) noted: “During ATI, Durban hotels average between 75–90% occupancy, with overflow to Pietermaritzburg, the Dolphin Coast, Zululand and the Drakensberg. This extends the economic impact across the province.
“Beyond the immediate event, ATI creates long-term benefits – generating future conferences, incentive travel and repeat tourism into Durban and wider KZN. It is a strategic platform that positions Durban and KwaZulu-Natal as a world-class hub for business tourism and MICE hospitality.”
Numbers behind the buzz
On the business-events front, KZN’s MICE sector is surging. In 2024, more than 50 major conferences and meetings were hosted across Durban and regional centres – generating R4 billion in GDP impact, sustaining more than 7 000 jobs, and driving R1.6bn in delegate spend.
The 2025–2027 pipeline is valued in the hundreds of millions; with confirmed bids in energy, water, logistics, finance, health and the creative industries. KZN’s share of the national MICE market continues to increase – the Durban ICC hosts most flagship events while new venues in Ballito, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay and the Drakensberg extend the footprint.
This performance cements KZN as the engine room of South Africa’s business-tourism economy – a province blending world-class infrastructure with unmatched diversity and reach.
Experiences beyond the city
- North Coast (uMhlanga–Ballito): Iconic resorts such as The Capital Zimbali, The Oyster Box and Fairmont Zimbali offer ocean-view boardrooms and gala venues. Delegates enjoy yacht cruises, dolphin-watching or golf – turning business into pleasure.
- South Coast: Selborne Park, Margate Hotel and Wild Coast Sun fuse coastal charm with conference convenience. Beach-themed banquets and team-building on Blue Flag beaches make this region ideal for incentives.
- Drakensberg: Venues like Cathedral Peak, Champagne Castle and Dragon Peaks deliver high-altitude inspiration – meetings by day, starlit dinners by night.
- Midlands: Along the Midlands Meander, lodges such as Fordoun Spa, Brahman Hills and Karkloof Villas host boutique summits and retreats amid craft trails and farm-to-table dining.
Province-wide vision
The next five years of ATI will fuel a provincial economy built on connection – empowering local caterers, guides, artists and transport providers from coast to mountains.
The integrated strategy of KZN Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA) ensures every conference hosted here becomes part of a bigger story: a connected, creative, confident KwaZulu-Natal.
The province isn’t just hosting Africa’s biggest travel show – it’s hosting the future of business tourism. With the Durban ICC’s new World Trade Centre status, a packed MICE pipeline and an unbeatable mix of city sophistication and regional charm, KZN is where Africa meets, connects and grows.
