Tourism Month is celebrated annually in September to promote domestic travel, showcase the country's diverse tourism offerings, and highlight the sector's significant contribution to the South African economy.
Tourism Month festivities are held throughout the country to highlight the plethora of tourism offerings in our nine provinces. The festivities also provide a platform for the sector to share its affordable travel deals, inspiring South Africans to explore the country in its entirety, from the coastal regions to small towns, villages, and dorpies.
World Tourism Day (WTD) is celebrated globally on 27 September as declared by UN Tourism. The day affords the global tourism community an opportunity to reflect and commemorate its milestones in relation to the fulfilment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 2026 UN Tourism WTD theme is “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”. South Africa will celebrate Tourism Month and WTD under the localised “Growing South Africa’s Tourism Sector in the Digital Era”. The theme highlights how innovations in artificial intelligence and digital technologies can reshape the sector, improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and advance sustainable tourism practices.
World Tourism Day Celebration
The Department, in collaboration with SA Tourism, the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) and its marketing agency, the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA), will host the World Tourism Day Celebrations on 27 September 2026 at the Legend Golf and Safari Resort in the Limpopo Province.