Expos galore in 2025
Pick and choose among the wide variety of travel and tourism trade fairs taking place this year.
This year is packed with exciting tourism and travel expos and events that Namibia is not only attending but also hosting to promote the tourism sector. Let’s take a look at some of these shows we can look forward to.
1. ITB Berlin - Berlin
The ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin) is the world's largest tourism trade fair and takes place from 4 to 6 March at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
The companies represented at the fair include hotels, tourism boards, tour operators, system providers, airlines and car rental companies. ITB Berlin (or just ITB) has been running since 1966 and has managed to establish satellite events in China, India and Singapore. ITB’s mission is to bring together the global travel, tourism and hospitality community
With the expert knowledge of the trade fair team, many years of experience and a keen understanding of trends and developments in the international travel industry, ITB has established itself as the world’s leading travel trade show. Over the years ITB has not only grown in size, exhibitor numbers and attendance, it has also become a comprehensive industry marketplace, showcasing travel products and services from around the world and growth-intensive niche markets.
Last year, 190 countries were represented, with 5 600 exhibitors and 100 000 attendees.
2. Organic and Natural Products Expo - Cape Town
The Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa will welcome visitors to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 28 to 30 March as the Western Cape’s leading showcase for organic and natural products.
The expo has been designed as a hybrid event that caters to trade buyers, while at the same time allowing retail sales directly to consumers. The event will showcase local and international manufacturers, suppliers, importers and exporters.
The 2025 edition has already attracted unprecedented interest. In January alone they had already received over 400 enquiries from companies wanting to exhibit at the second Cape Town show. The tremendous response reflects the remarkable growth of the sector and the increasing demand for organic and natural products.
A key feature of the 2025 expo will be an increased focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
3. World Travel Market Africa - Cape Town
World Travel Market (WTM) Africa is an event where you can generate sales leads, launch new products, enter new markets, raise brand awareness, conduct market research, command press attention and develop and maintain relationships all at the same time.
WTM Africa embarks on a journey to showcase the untapped potential, celebrate the richness of its heritage, and pave the way for sustainable growth in both inbound and outbound tourism. It takes place from 9 to 11 April.
4. Africa’s Travel Indaba - Durban
Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African exhibition calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar.
It showcases the widest variety of Africa's top tourism products and attracts international buyers and media from across the world. Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic 3-day trade show preceded by a dedicated Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) which seeks to create a platform for thought-leadership, knowledge sharing and obtaining the latest in global trends and local insights. The BONDay programme is developed in close collaboration with global tourism organisations, continental experts as well as industry associations.
The trade show provides the ideal platform for African tourism exhibitors to showcase their offerings to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies and leisure tourism services partners. This year it will take place from 12 to 15 May at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa.
5. Winelands Autumn Expo - Worcester
Following the resounding success of its inaugural event last year, the Winelands Autumn Expo is set to return on 30 and 31 May 2025, at the Montana High School Grounds in Worcester, South Africa. This year promises to be even more spectacular, bringing together the best of the Cape Winelands under one roof.
Visitors can look forward to a diverse array of experiences. The expo will highlight the best places to stay and explore, venues to celebrate at, adventures to experience, and produce to taste and savour. Great talents will be lined up for entertainment and amazing prizes are up for grabs.
6. Zambia Travel Expo - Lusaka
The Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX), originally set for 13 to 15 June 2024, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, was postponed until this year. This decision, prompted by unforeseen circumstances, aimed to ensure the event meets the highest standards and expectations. The expo will showcase the widest variety of tourism products and services from Zambia, the region and beyond. Several tourism boards from around the world are expected to make their way to Lusaka as exhibitors.
7. Zambezi Bream Festival - Katima Mulilo
The Zambezi Bream Festival and Cultural Expo set to take place in August in Katima Mulilo, is a vibrant celebration held in Zambezi, specifically along the Zambezi River. This festival combines the rich cultural heritage of the region with a focus on the Zambezi bream, a popular fish in the local cuisine.
8. Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo - Bulawayo
The Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo scheduled for September in Bulawayo, is an annual tourism trade fair organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. Sanganai/Hlanganani is Africa’s flagship event and an ideal meeting place for developing quality business relationships through face-to-face interactions. The expo aims to showcase Zimbabwe's diverse tourism offerings and attract new visitors to the country. It also creates a platform to showcase tourism products and services to both trade and consumers visiting the expo.
9. Erongo Business and Tourism Expo - Walvis Bay
The 17th Erongo Business and Tourism Expo is set to take place from 28 October to 1 November in Walvis Bay. It is an annual event for local and international businesses to market their goods and services. The expo features a variety of exhibitors, including tourism companies, the business fraternity, mining and fishing industries, as well as foreign embassies and their invited guests. This diverse representation highlights the collaborative spirit and economic potential of the Erongo Region.
10. Botswana Travel and Tourism Expo - Kasane
The Botswana Travel Tourism Expo (BTTE) offers a unique opportunity to the world’s travel industry to establish business partnerships with Botswana tourism industry players. The BTTE also offers a unique strategic networking opportunity and gives insight into the Botswana Tourism product, including where one can access new markets and achieve business objectives. A date must still be set, although the expo usually takes place towards the end of the year.
1. ITB Berlin - Berlin
The ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin) is the world's largest tourism trade fair and takes place from 4 to 6 March at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
The companies represented at the fair include hotels, tourism boards, tour operators, system providers, airlines and car rental companies. ITB Berlin (or just ITB) has been running since 1966 and has managed to establish satellite events in China, India and Singapore. ITB’s mission is to bring together the global travel, tourism and hospitality community
With the expert knowledge of the trade fair team, many years of experience and a keen understanding of trends and developments in the international travel industry, ITB has established itself as the world’s leading travel trade show. Over the years ITB has not only grown in size, exhibitor numbers and attendance, it has also become a comprehensive industry marketplace, showcasing travel products and services from around the world and growth-intensive niche markets.
Last year, 190 countries were represented, with 5 600 exhibitors and 100 000 attendees.
2. Organic and Natural Products Expo - Cape Town
The Organic and Natural Products Expo Africa will welcome visitors to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 28 to 30 March as the Western Cape’s leading showcase for organic and natural products.
The expo has been designed as a hybrid event that caters to trade buyers, while at the same time allowing retail sales directly to consumers. The event will showcase local and international manufacturers, suppliers, importers and exporters.
The 2025 edition has already attracted unprecedented interest. In January alone they had already received over 400 enquiries from companies wanting to exhibit at the second Cape Town show. The tremendous response reflects the remarkable growth of the sector and the increasing demand for organic and natural products.
A key feature of the 2025 expo will be an increased focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
3. World Travel Market Africa - Cape Town
World Travel Market (WTM) Africa is an event where you can generate sales leads, launch new products, enter new markets, raise brand awareness, conduct market research, command press attention and develop and maintain relationships all at the same time.
WTM Africa embarks on a journey to showcase the untapped potential, celebrate the richness of its heritage, and pave the way for sustainable growth in both inbound and outbound tourism. It takes place from 9 to 11 April.
4. Africa’s Travel Indaba - Durban
Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African exhibition calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar.
It showcases the widest variety of Africa's top tourism products and attracts international buyers and media from across the world. Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic 3-day trade show preceded by a dedicated Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) which seeks to create a platform for thought-leadership, knowledge sharing and obtaining the latest in global trends and local insights. The BONDay programme is developed in close collaboration with global tourism organisations, continental experts as well as industry associations.
The trade show provides the ideal platform for African tourism exhibitors to showcase their offerings to international and local buyers, destination marketing companies and leisure tourism services partners. This year it will take place from 12 to 15 May at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa.
5. Winelands Autumn Expo - Worcester
Following the resounding success of its inaugural event last year, the Winelands Autumn Expo is set to return on 30 and 31 May 2025, at the Montana High School Grounds in Worcester, South Africa. This year promises to be even more spectacular, bringing together the best of the Cape Winelands under one roof.
Visitors can look forward to a diverse array of experiences. The expo will highlight the best places to stay and explore, venues to celebrate at, adventures to experience, and produce to taste and savour. Great talents will be lined up for entertainment and amazing prizes are up for grabs.
6. Zambia Travel Expo - Lusaka
The Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX), originally set for 13 to 15 June 2024, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, was postponed until this year. This decision, prompted by unforeseen circumstances, aimed to ensure the event meets the highest standards and expectations. The expo will showcase the widest variety of tourism products and services from Zambia, the region and beyond. Several tourism boards from around the world are expected to make their way to Lusaka as exhibitors.
7. Zambezi Bream Festival - Katima Mulilo
The Zambezi Bream Festival and Cultural Expo set to take place in August in Katima Mulilo, is a vibrant celebration held in Zambezi, specifically along the Zambezi River. This festival combines the rich cultural heritage of the region with a focus on the Zambezi bream, a popular fish in the local cuisine.
8. Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo - Bulawayo
The Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo scheduled for September in Bulawayo, is an annual tourism trade fair organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. Sanganai/Hlanganani is Africa’s flagship event and an ideal meeting place for developing quality business relationships through face-to-face interactions. The expo aims to showcase Zimbabwe's diverse tourism offerings and attract new visitors to the country. It also creates a platform to showcase tourism products and services to both trade and consumers visiting the expo.
9. Erongo Business and Tourism Expo - Walvis Bay
The 17th Erongo Business and Tourism Expo is set to take place from 28 October to 1 November in Walvis Bay. It is an annual event for local and international businesses to market their goods and services. The expo features a variety of exhibitors, including tourism companies, the business fraternity, mining and fishing industries, as well as foreign embassies and their invited guests. This diverse representation highlights the collaborative spirit and economic potential of the Erongo Region.
10. Botswana Travel and Tourism Expo - Kasane
The Botswana Travel Tourism Expo (BTTE) offers a unique opportunity to the world’s travel industry to establish business partnerships with Botswana tourism industry players. The BTTE also offers a unique strategic networking opportunity and gives insight into the Botswana Tourism product, including where one can access new markets and achieve business objectives. A date must still be set, although the expo usually takes place towards the end of the year.
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