As the festive season approaches, Southern Africa is fast emerging as one of the world’s most appealing holiday regions, drawing travellers eager to experience its blend of wildlife, culture, and adventure.
From the thunderous Victoria Falls to Namibia’s vast deserts and Botswana’s lively capital, the region’s interconnectedness and diversity are redefining how travellers explore Africa.
This is according to Tekanyo Selatela from Tribeca Public Relations, which has a focus on tourism, evidenced by its success in the travel and tourism sector, including winning awards for its work with hotel clients.
He noted that with easier cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, multi-destination trips are becoming more popular. These trips let visitors combine safaris, beaches, and cultural experiences in one journey.
Selatela stated that tourism is one of the most vibrant sectors in SADC. It contributed about 2.8% (US$19.4 billion) directly to the region’s GDP in 2017, and about 8% (US$56 billion) when considering indirect impacts. The sector also supports over 6.3 million jobs.
“Although the COVID-19 pandemic hit the industry hard, recovery has been steady,” he said. This recovery is driven by the SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030, which focuses on sustainable development and regional integration."
He mentioned that governments have made visa processes simpler and expanded cross-border projects like Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), while also promoting conservation-based tourism. These changes resonate with younger travelers who prefer meaningful and ethical experiences instead of mass tourism.
Selatela remarked that these changes reflect global travel trends. Booking times have become shorter, travelers are looking for varied experiences, and multi-country travel is on the rise, especially among European visitors seeking shared adventures.
He said that across Southern Africa, the hospitality industry is evolving from simple accommodation providers to curators of culture and experiences, allowing visitors to engage more deeply with local communities and traditions.
With the rise of sustainable tourism and improved infrastructure, the SADC region, led by countries like Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, is poised to shine this festive season.
From the thunderous Victoria Falls to Namibia’s vast deserts and Botswana’s lively capital, the region’s interconnectedness and diversity are redefining how travellers explore Africa.
This is according to Tekanyo Selatela from Tribeca Public Relations, which has a focus on tourism, evidenced by its success in the travel and tourism sector, including winning awards for its work with hotel clients.
He noted that with easier cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, multi-destination trips are becoming more popular. These trips let visitors combine safaris, beaches, and cultural experiences in one journey.
Selatela stated that tourism is one of the most vibrant sectors in SADC. It contributed about 2.8% (US$19.4 billion) directly to the region’s GDP in 2017, and about 8% (US$56 billion) when considering indirect impacts. The sector also supports over 6.3 million jobs.
“Although the COVID-19 pandemic hit the industry hard, recovery has been steady,” he said. This recovery is driven by the SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030, which focuses on sustainable development and regional integration."
He mentioned that governments have made visa processes simpler and expanded cross-border projects like Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), while also promoting conservation-based tourism. These changes resonate with younger travelers who prefer meaningful and ethical experiences instead of mass tourism.
Selatela remarked that these changes reflect global travel trends. Booking times have become shorter, travelers are looking for varied experiences, and multi-country travel is on the rise, especially among European visitors seeking shared adventures.
He said that across Southern Africa, the hospitality industry is evolving from simple accommodation providers to curators of culture and experiences, allowing visitors to engage more deeply with local communities and traditions.
With the rise of sustainable tourism and improved infrastructure, the SADC region, led by countries like Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, is poised to shine this festive season.
