South African Tourism successfully concluded its participation at Outbound Travel Market (OTM) 2026, reinforcing India’s position as one of South Africa’s key growth markets. Held at the Jio World Convention Centre, OTM 2026 provided a platform for the tourism board to showcase destination South Africa and deepen engagement with India’s travel trade.
Alongside 22 exhibitors, South African Tourism presented a diverse portfolio of offerings for Indian travellers, spanning experiential leisure, luxury stays, adventure and wildlife experiences, and world-class MICE infrastructure. Provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, and Mpumalanga continue to attract significant interest from Indian travellers.
Speaking on India’s evolving significance, Ms. Mitalee Karmarkar, Marketing and Communications Manager (MEISEA), South African Tourism, said: “India’s travel landscape continues to evolve rapidly. South Africa is seeing growing interest from experience-driven travellers who are well-informed and adventurous. Beyond traditional leisure and family travel, we are witnessing stronger engagement from business, MICE, and blended bleisure segments, reinforcing South Africa’s relevance for the next generation of corporate travellers.”
In 2025, India ranked as South Africa’s 7th largest overseas source market and 15th overall international market. Indian travellers contributed 3.0% of total international arrivals, reflecting the market’s growing importance. The Indian market recorded a 73% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating sustained rebound momentum.
OTM 2026 provided an opportunity to strengthen existing business partnerships between Indian buyers and South African suppliers while fostering new collaborations. Platforms like OTM are critical in enhancing destination knowledge within the Indian trade ecosystem and boosting confidence in long-haul travel planning.
Indian travel motivations to South Africa in 2025 reflect a balanced mix: Business travel (24.5%), Visiting Friends & Relatives (22.5%), Business Meetings / MICE (21.5%), and Holiday travel (20.9%). This diversified profile underscores the expanding scope of travel from India beyond conventional leisure.
Emphasising the importance of trade engagement, Ms. Karmarkar added: “This momentum is further strengthened through South African Tourism’s targeted initiatives, including the Corporate Think Tank series, the Learn South Africa training program, and continuous engagement via the Annual India Roadshow. Together, these efforts are designed to deepen destination knowledge and accelerate corporate and MICE travel from India.”
Following OTM Mumbai, South African Tourism continues the Annual India Roadshow 2026 across Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Delhi, expanding its in-market outreach. With forecasted Indian outbound travel to South Africa expected to reach pre-covid numbers in 2026, the tourism board remains optimistic about India’s trajectory as one of its fastest-growing source markets.
