South Africa today hosted the inaugural Tourism
Investment Summit in Cape Town, led by the Minister of
Tourism of the Republic of South Africa, Patricia de Lille.
The Summit, which is G20 legacy project, firmly placed
tourism investment on the global agenda ahead of the
G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, which will take place on
12 September 2025 in Skukuza, Kruger National Park.

“We stand here not only to showcase projects, but to invite partnerships. South Africa is a nation at work, and we are about action. Together, we can deliver a bold new chapter in tourism investment, for our country, for Africa, and for the world,” Minister De Lille stated. 

During the Summit, eight bankable tourism projects were unveiled, representing nearly R1 billion in potential investment. These projects are tangible opportunities for investors in eco-tourism, hospitality infrastructure, cultural heritage tourism, and green innovation. 

“Our projects range in size, from the God’s Window Skywalk in Mpumalanga, which is seeking an investment of R200 million ($10.4 million), to the Hole in the Wall Resort in the Eastern Cape, requiring R141 million ($7.9 million). Together, all these projects reflect South Africa’s readiness to welcome investment that delivers not only strong returns, but real benefits to communities,” said Minister De Lille.

The projects are:

·       Western Cape Tokai Manor Table Mountain National Park

·       Tshwane’s Eye of Menlyn

·       Mpumalanga God’s Window Skywalk

·       Eastern Cape Water World Fun Park in Buffalo City

·       Orpen Kruger Lodge

·       Western Cape Groote Schuur Estate Tea Room and Restaurant

·       Eastern Cape Hole in the Wall Resort

·       Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park

“The eight projects are from both the public and private sectors, with strong return on investment and high community impact. And this is just a fraction of what lies in our national pipeline, which is rich, diverse, and growing. We stand here not only as a nation of immense tourism potential, but also as a gateway to Africa,” Minister De Lille emphasised.

She also stated that under the Government of National Unity, policy shifts have been adopted and demonstrate the power to unlock growth. Effective 1 June 2025, the Amended National Treasury Regulation 16 for Public-Private Partnerships came into effect, introducing greater flexibility and innovation. These changes enable the adoption of diverse models ranging from Design-Build-Operate partnerships to blended finance and even crowdfunding.

One of the key highlights of the event was the announcement by the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili, of 100 UN Tourism scholarships for South Africa. These scholarships will support the development of the next generation of tourism leaders, equipping young people with the skills to contribute to a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive tourism sector.

The Summit served as a G20 Tourism Legacy platform, bringing together high-level decision-makers, investors, and industry leaders to unlock new opportunities in global tourism investment. A major outcome was the release of the Tourism Investment Guidelines, developed in partnership with UN Tourism. These guidelines provide a practical roadmap for aligning investment flows with responsible, inclusive, and sustainable tourism development across the G20 and beyond.

The G20 Investment Summit reaffirmed that with the right policies, guidelines, and partnerships, tourism investment can generate lasting legacies not only for global economies but also for local communities across South Africa and the world.

Reflecting on the Summit’s significance, Minister De Lille stated: “This Summit is about jobs, growth, and transformation. Tourism is labour-intensive. Every investment here means jobs for young South Africans. Every Rand or Dollar invested is an opportunity created. And every partnership formed here will help us transform tourism into a driver of inclusive, sustainable prosperity.”

ENDS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Mr Aldrin Sampear
Spokesperson for the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa
Email: asampear@tourism.gov.za
Cell: +27 67 138 3487 ​ ​