Pretoria: South Africa has taken a significant step in its G20 presidency by hosting the first-ever G20 Tourism Working Group meeting. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille emphasized the transformative power of tourism in a video message, urging delegates to use tourism as a tool to positively impact communities globally.
According to South African Government News Agency, the virtual meeting was held at the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) in Pretoria. This meeting marks the beginning of a series of discussions leading up to the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for September 2025. Minister de Lille expressed South Africa’s enthusiasm in welcoming G20 delegates and the pride in hosting the G20 forum for the first time.
The meeting, chaired by Director-General Nkhumeleni Victor Vele, included participation from senior officials and tourism experts from G20 countries, guest nations, and international organizations. Delegates discussed four key priorities: People-Centered Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, Tourism Financing and Investment, Air Connectivity, and Enhanced Resilience for Tourism Development. The Tourism Working Group aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and best practices among member countries, focusing on solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
The Department of Tourism highlighted South Africa’s historic role as the first African country to lead the G20, emphasizing its commitment to advancing a developmental agenda for Africa. Future G20 Tourism Meetings in South Africa include the second and third Working Group Meetings and the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in September 2025.
The G20 economies account for a significant portion of the global economy, representing around 85% of the global GDP and over 75% of global trade. In 2023, they attracted 69% of international tourists and generated 71% of tourism exports. Tourism Direct GDP constituted 3.1% of G20 economies.
The department acknowledged tourism’s vital role in the global economy, especially in socio-economic development, while noting its vulnerability to various hazards. In Africa, tourism accounted for 3.5% of the region’s GDP in 2023, albeit below the pre-pandemic level of 4.3% in 2019. Challenges in the African travel sector include air connectivity, investment limitations, and sustainability concerns.
South Africa’s tourism priorities for the G20 Presidency align with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa, focusing on inclusive growth and sustainable tourism development. The meeting recognized South Africa’s efforts to continue the work of previous G20 Presidencies and advance Africa’s developmental goals.