As South Africa leads the G20 this year, the country has spotlighted tourism as a key driver of innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille officially launched the G20 Tourism Hackathon on July 5 at the University of the Western Cape. The three-day event gathers students from 18 South African tertiary institutions to solve real-world tourism challenges using technology, creativity, and AI-driven solutions. With a focus on digital transformation, climate-resilient tourism, and empowering SMEs, the hackathon aligns with the G20’s 2025 tourism agenda. Winning teams will receive mentorship and commercialisation support and will present their projects at the upcoming G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Kruger National Park this September.
At the same time, the G20 Tourism Community Outreach programme was launched in the Northern Cape, focusing on grassroots empowerment. Local tourism entrepreneurs, artisans, and small businesses participated in workshops and interactive sessions with G20 delegates and policymakers. Topics included funding access, digital tools, training, and enhancing community-based tourism. The initiative highlighted the four G20 tourism pillars: SME innovation, financial access, improved connectivity, and resilience building. By combining youth-led innovation with community engagement, South Africa is redefining tourism as a sector that is future-ready, inclusive, and impactful from both policy and grassroots levels.
