UN Tourism Launches Investment Guides in South Africa

UN Tourism has launched new investment guidelines at the South Africa Tourism Investment Forum, connecting public and private sector leaders to highlight opportunities in Africa’s growing tourism market. The event, hosted by the Government of South Africa, focused on investment prospects across the country and the wider continent.

South Africa’s tourism sector welcomed nearly 9 million international visitors and 47 million domestic trips in 2024, contributing more than 12% to the national GDP. The Forum underscored the country’s role as a gateway for regional tourism development and a model for attracting sustainable investment.

Guidelines for Investors

At the Forum, UN Tourism introduced the Tourism Doing Business Guidelines – Investing in South Africa, developed with the Department of Tourism of South Africa. The guide provides a roadmap for investors, outlining opportunities, incentives and key projects designed to drive sustainable tourism growth. It emphasizes South Africa’s mix of cultural and natural attractions, supported by modern infrastructure and an investment-friendly climate.

Additionally, UN Tourism presented the executive summary of the Investing in Africa guidebook, the first report of its kind to cover investment opportunities across the continent. The publication combines input from public and private stakeholders to provide data and strategies for advancing Africa’s tourism sector. New editions of the Tourism Doing Business guides for Angola, Cabo Verde and Kenya were also announced, expanding on existing guides for South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Morocco, Mozambique, Mauritius and Tanzania.

“Investing in tourism is about more than infrastructure, it’s about building a sustainable future through education and inclusion,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism. “We are proud to be leading the conversation around tourism investments and building bridges between investors and projects right across Africa.”

Forum Discussions

The Forum featured sessions on public-private partnerships, digital transformation, sustainable hospitality and conservation ventures. Stakeholders discussed strategies to enhance Africa’s appeal for international investors while strengthening local communities and environmental protection.

Youth Scholarships

As part of its commitment to human capital development, UN Tourism awarded 100 Online Academy Scholarships to South Africa. The initiative aims to empower young people in the tourism sector and promote access to quality education. The scholarships are part of the organization’s Agenda for Africa, which seeks to strengthen capacity building and entrepreneurial opportunities across the continent.

The launch of these guides and scholarships reinforces UN Tourism’s objective of promoting sustainable growth and supporting tourism entrepreneurs. By positioning South Africa as a key entry point for investment, the initiatives are expected to stimulate broader economic and social development in the African tourism sector.

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