Africa travel trade shows for travel agents and tour operators

Durban, South Africa

Africa's Travel Indaba

Leisure tourism trade show for African destinations, held at the Durban ICC (Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre)

Next edition

11–13 May 2027 (BONDay networking day on 10 May 2027)

Organiser

South African Tourism

Buyers

Buyers attend as hosted or non-hosted buyers and apply individually online; group applications are not accepted. Hosted buyers receive economy flights from selected markets, four nights in a four-star hotel and transfers, and must attend at least 10 appointments a day. Applicants hosted by South African Tourism at Indaba or Meetings Africa in the past year are not eligible. For the 2026 show, international non-hosted buyers who registered by 29 April 2026 attended free, and local trade visitors paid ZAR 970. When checked on 19 October 2026, the site listed 2027 registration as opening soon.

Fam tours

South African Tourism states that tour experiences are available to hosted buyers depending on their category of hosting.

Event page on RepBud ↗

Cape Town, South Africa

WTM Africa

Inbound and outbound travel trade show for Africa, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)

Next edition

7–9 April 2027

Organiser

RX (Reed Exhibitions)

Buyers

Senior buyers with contracting or purchasing authority and evidence of business in Africa apply to the buyer programme, which has fully hosted buyers (flight contribution, up to four nights' accommodation, transfers, appointment diary), semi-hosted buyers (accommodation and appointment diary) and Buyers' Club members (buyers' lounge access and appointment diary). The organiser's site lists 781 exhibitors and 266 hosted buyers from 66 countries. WTM Africa states that pre- and post-show tours are not guaranteed and suggests contacting exhibitors directly to arrange site inspections.

Event page on RepBud ↗

Johannesburg, South Africa

Meetings Africa

Business events (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) across Africa, held at the Sandton Convention Centre

Next edition

22–24 February 2027 (BONDay on 22 February, show days 23–24 February)

Organiser

South African Tourism, through the South African National Convention Bureau

Buyers

International hosted buyers from the business events industry are invited by the South African National Convention Bureau after an application and external qualification process, and receive sponsored flights and accommodation. Association hosted buyers and local hosted buyers apply online through the Meetings Africa site.

Fam tours

International hosted buyers receive a pre- or post-show tour of a destination as part of their hosting.

Event page on RepBud ↗

Arusha, Tanzania

Karibu KiliFair

East African tourism expo with exhibitors from mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, held outdoors at Magereza Ground

Next edition

27–30 May 2027 (27 May for exhibitors and media only)

Organiser

KILIFAIR Promotion Co. Ltd

Buyers

International travel agents and buyers register online as buyers and book appointments through the KILICLOUD platform; agents can apply for an agent code to become semi-hosted buyers, with discounted partner hotels and flight discounts from partner airlines. For 2026, once online registration closed, buyers could register on site for USD 50 (TZS 130,000) for a three-day pass. The organiser states 600+ exhibitors and 1,800+ international travel agents from 40+ countries.

Fam tours

The organiser states that its fam trip partners offer 120+ seats for international travel agents and buyers to visit Tanzanian destinations. Registered buyers apply online by choosing their top three itineraries; the 2026 application deadline was 1 May 2026, and 2027 fam trips were listed as coming soon on 19 October 2026.

Event page on RepBud ↗

Nairobi, Kenya

Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE)

Kenya's travel trade expo with exhibitors from across Africa; the 2026 edition was held 6–8 October 2026 at Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum, Nairobi

Next edition

Dates not yet published

Organiser

Kenya Tourism Board

Buyers

DMCs, incentive buyers, independent travel agents, online booking companies and outbound tour operators to Africa based outside Kenya apply online as hosted or self-sponsored buyers. For 2026, hosted buyers had no registration fee and received accommodation in Nairobi, transfers, up to 30 pre-scheduled appointments and a 50% international flight reimbursement up to a regional maximum once hosting criteria were met. When checked on 19 October 2026, 2027 dates were not yet published.

Fam tours

For 2026, the hosted buyer package included a five-day fam trip with accommodation and ground and air transfers.

Kampala, Uganda

Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE)

Uganda's annual tourism trade show with business-to-business and business-to-consumer days; the 2026 edition was held 21–23 May 2026 at Speke Resort Munyonyo

Next edition

Dates not yet published

Organiser

Uganda Tourism Board

Buyers

Buyers register through the hosted buyer registration on the POATE portal (poate.co.ug), linked from the Uganda Tourism Board's POATE page.

Fam tours

For 2026, the Uganda Tourism Board's POATE page published buyer itineraries, such as a six-day Jinja itinerary, in its Hosted Buyer Corner.

Host city changes each year (Masvingo in 2026), Zimbabwe

Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo

Zimbabwe's international tourism trade fair; the 2026 edition was held in Masvingo from 9 to 12 September 2026

Next edition

Dates not yet published

Organiser

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority

Buyers

International buyers attend through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, which lists dedicated buyer contacts on its Sanganai/Hlanganani page.

Fam tours

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority said in 2023 that it would take arriving international buyers on pre- and post-expo tours.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Essence of Africa

Meetings-driven forum connecting pre-qualified international buyers with African tourism businesses; it moves to a different African region each year (Nairobi in 2024, Malindi in 2025, Zanzibar in 2026)

Next edition

20–22 October 2026

Organiser

On Show Solutions and ATTA Group Events

Buyers

DMCs, incentive buyers, independent travel agents, online booking companies and outbound tour operators to Africa apply online; a selection committee allocates hosted, partially hosted and non-hosted places. Hosted buyers receive a flight contribution, four nights' bed and breakfast, transfers and up to 40 pre-scheduled meetings. Accepted buyers pay a refundable EUR 150 commitment fee.

Fam tours

Hosted buyers can apply for the official pre-event Zanzibar educational programme, and exhibitors offer destination fams as educational experiences.

Event page on RepBud ↗

Cape Town, South Africa

We Are Africa

High-end and luxury African travel brands meeting international buyers and press, held at the DHL Stadium

Next edition

3–7 May 2027

Organiser

This is Beyond Ltd

Buyers

Buyers apply to attend; the organiser looks for decision-makers who create tailor-made itineraries and have references from high-end African suppliers. Accepted buyers receive up to 45 pre-scheduled 20-minute appointments. The organiser states that over 300 African suppliers will attend in 2027.

Fam tours

The organiser states that buyers may be hosted in Cape Town partner hotels or take part in one of its pre- and post-tour programmes.

Event page on RepBud ↗

London, United Kingdom

Experience Africa

UK B2B trade event for African tourism: tourism boards, DMCs, lodges and specialist suppliers meet selected international buyers (2026 venue: 155 Bishopsgate)

Next edition

21–23 June 2027

Organiser

ATTA Group Events (the events division of ATTA, the African Travel & Tourism Association)

Buyers

Attendance is limited to pre-registered buyers, exhibitors, partners and media. Buyers are selected outbound tour operators and travel buyers from the UK, Europe and the Americas, and receive a diary of pre-scheduled, match-made meetings.

Event page on RepBud ↗

London, United Kingdom

WTM London

Global travel trade show at ExCeL London

Next edition

3–5 November 2026

Organiser

RX (Reed Exhibitions)

Buyers

Buyers apply to the buyer programme, which has strict qualification criteria and includes matchmaking, early access to the halls and a buyers' lounge. Applicants who do not qualify can register as visitors; visitor tickets were advertised from £79 when checked on 19 October 2026.

Event page on RepBud ↗

Berlin, Germany

ITB Berlin

Global travel trade show at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds

Next edition

16–18 March 2027

Organiser

Messe Berlin

Buyers

The ITB Buyers Circle admits 1,300 selected buyers a year after an individual review; applicants need an active purchasing role with budget or contract responsibility. ITB states that 69% of members work for tour operators and that members come from markets including Africa.

Event page on RepBud ↗

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Arabian Travel Market (ATM)

Middle East travel trade show at the Dubai World Trade Centre

Next edition

3–6 May 2027

Organiser

RX (Reed Exhibitions)

Buyers

Senior-level buyers apply through an interest form for the hosted buyer programme, which includes four nights' hotel accommodation, breakfast, daily transfers and early access to the online diary. Applicants must not have taken part in the programme in the last three years and must provide references. The organiser lists 2,800+ exhibitors and 6,600+ buyers.

Event page on RepBud ↗

New Delhi, India

SATTE

India travel trade exhibition at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre), Dwarka

Next edition

19–21 January 2027

Organiser

Informa Markets

Buyers

SATTE runs a domestic hosted buyer programme and separate international buyer registration; when checked on 19 October 2026, the site said international buyer registration would be live soon.

Event page on RepBud ↗