South Africa’s Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has embarked on an outreach mission to Ghana to deepen bilateral relations and promote cultural exchange between the two countries.
The visit, taking place from 26 to 28 March, aims to showcase South Africa as an attractive destination for leisure and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism while fostering stronger tourism and trade ties.
According to the Department of Tourism in Pretoria, de Lille’s itinerary includes engagements with Ghana’s Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Abla-Dzifa Gomashie as well as the South Africa-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, tourism stakeholders and key media representatives.
The discussions are focusing on expanding tourism partnerships and exploring collaborative opportunities between the two nations.
“Ghana and the broader African continent are incredibly important markets for South Africa’s tourism sector,” de Lille said.
A key milestone in South Africa-Ghana relations came in November 2023 with the easing of visa regulations, allowing citizens of both countries to travel visa-free for up to 90 days annually.
This development unlocked significant tourism potential and boosted both business and leisure travel.
Ghana’s tourism performance has since flourished, recording a 149 percent increase in tourist arrivals to South Africa in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The number of Ghanaian visitors reached 36,656, largely due to the visa waiver and targeted marketing efforts by South African Tourism.
Speaking on the mission’s significance, de Lille emphasised the importance of intra-African travel in driving economic development and fostering cultural exchange.
“We recognise the immense potential of intra-African travel to drive economic development, cultural exchange and shared prosperity. It is for this reason that we are conducting this outreach mission to strengthen relations and partnerships with our counterparts in Ghana,” de Lille said.
The visit also holds added importance as South Africa hosts the G20 Summit this year, highlighting the country’s growing role on the global stage and its dedication to strengthening partnerships across the continent.
JN/APA