De Lille urges G20 to use tourism to grow economies

South Africa’s Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has called for tourism to be used as a tool for economic development across the continent, as the second G20 Tourism Working Group meeting got underway in Durban on Sunday.

The meeting, hosted as part of South Africa’s G20 presidency, brings together tourism leaders ahead of the Africa Travel Indaba, which begins Monday. At least 27 African countries and 1,300 exhibitors are expected to participate in the Indaba, one of the continent’s largest tourism trade events.

De Lille told delegates that South Africa is working with the United Nations as a knowledge partner to support tourism growth across Africa. She said the sector needs to clearly communicate its economic and developmental value to secure greater investment and policy support.

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She urged G20 members to build on existing solutions rather than seek new ones unnecessarily, encouraging the sharing of proven methods and practices among member states.

Although the United States is scheduled to chair the G20 tourism track in 2026, its seats at Sunday’s meeting remained empty during the minister’s remarks.