Limpopo hosts World Tourism Day

The Limpopo Provincial Government, Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) in conjunction with the national Department of Tourism led by Minister Ms. Patricia De Lile hosted South Africa’s World Tourism Day celebrations at the Legends Golf Estate and Safari, Waterberg District on Sunday 27 September 2026.

The World Tourism Day was commemorated under the theme: “Growing South Africa’s Tourism Sector in the Digital Era.”
Tourism month is celebrated annually to promote travel and showcase the country’s most diverse offerings while highlighting the sectors’ significant contributions to South Africa’s economy.

This occasion also highlighted the transformative role of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping tourism through improved visitor experiences, smarter destination management, greater operational efficiency, and more sustainable and inclusive tourism practices.

The occasion gave Limpopo a great platform to showcase its diverse tourism products and destinations beyond the country’s traditional tourism hotspots.

The Build-up to the monumental day preceded on the previous day (Saturday, 26 September 2026) at Doorndraai Dam with exciting activities showcasing attractive sites within the Limpopo shores.

These included speedboat rides and cruises, game drives, mountain bikes and 10 kilometers trail hikes amongst others.

Complementing the auspicious day theme, MEC for Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) Mr. Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe said Limpopo’s tourism sector shall embrace digital storytelling, smart tourism and AI-powered services to reach wider markets, improve visitor experiences and create business opportunities.

“Having world-class attractions alone is not enough. We must ensure that travellers across South Africa, Africa and the world can discover Limpopo through digital platforms, access information easily and engage with our tourism offerings seamlessly. Digital innovation can attract visitors, increase spending and create jobs, while opening new opportunities for young people in technology, content creation, marketing and entrepreneurship.” Matibe said

To position Limpopo as a leading tourism destination that embraces innovation while remaining authentic to its cultural and natural heritage, MEC Matibe reckons that government alone cannot achieve these objectives set for the tourism sector but requires continued collaborations with the private sector, tourism associations, communities, traditional leadership institutions and development partners.

Meanwhile, Minister De Lile lauded the brilliant work done by the South African Tourism board as they have hailed a record 10.5 million international arrivals in 2025, marking the country as one of the sought-after destinations for tourists.

She highlighted Limpopo as a province that brings together many of the strengths needed for tourism growth to unlock iconic nature and wildlife, rich cultural heritage, vibrant music, food, rural and community-based experiences, and tourism opportunities beyond traditional gateways including golf as a sporting code.

“I am so proud to say that at the World Economic Forum headquarters, it was very clear to me that South Africa is highly revered as a tourism destination. Our country’s input into some serious decisions affecting the tourism sector globally is highly valued. This is all thanks to the work that you, as a broader tourism sector, do to continue showcasing our Mzansi. It is good to be back home and of course to be here in Limpopo, a fitting host for World Tourism Day.” De Lile highlighted