By AGISANANG SCUFF
10 September 2025- 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 a 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.
De Lille said they stand here not only to showcase projects, but to invite partnerships. She said South Africa is a nation at work and they are about action.
“Together, we can deliver a bold new chapter in tourism investment, for our country, for Africa, and for the world. 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),” said De Lille.
She further said together, all these projects reflect South Africa’s readiness to welcome investment that delivers not only strong returns, but real benefits to communities. De Lille added that the projects are the 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 and Orpen Kruger Lodge.
“This includes Western Cape Groote Schuur Estate Tea Room and Restaurant, Eastern Cape Hole in the Wall Resort and 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,” emphasised De Lille.
She also stated that under the Government of National Unity, policy shifts have been adopted and demonstrate the power to unlock growth. De Lille said 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,” she said.
De Lille said 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. She said 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,” she said.
De Lille said reflecting on the Summit’s significance, it is about jobs, growth and transformation. She said 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,” said De Lille.
The Guardian 