Tourism industry leaders, government representatives and sector partners gathered at Emperors Palace on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, for the TBCSA Gauteng Roadshow, where Gauteng’s tourism growth, destination positioning and industry challenges came under discussion. The Tourism Business Council of South Africa and Gauteng Tourism Authority used the engagement to strengthen dialogue between government and the tourism industry. The roadshow matters as Gauteng works to coordinate its destination message, support tourism enterprises and compete for visitors and investment.
Gauteng Tourism Authority Acting Chief Executive Officer Crezelda Venter addressed stakeholders on the province’s tourism position and its partnership with TBCSA.
GTA Board members: Chairperson, Ms Judi Nwokedi, Mr Papa Leshabane and Ms Thami Nkadimeng also attended the session as part of the authority’s representation at the TBCSA Gauteng Roadshow.
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TBCSA Roadshow Brings Gauteng Tourism Industry Together
The Gauteng leg of the TBCSA Industry Roadshow brought together organisations working across tourism, hospitality, enterprise development, destination marketing and transport.
Stakeholders used the engagement to exchange information on industry trends and discuss pressures affecting tourism businesses.
“Roadshows such as these are more than industry gatherings,” Venter said.
“They are valuable platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and collective problem solving.”
Venter said the engagements allow the sector to reflect on its position, exchange insights on emerging trends and strengthen partnerships that could shape tourism’s future. These priorities are outlined in the GTA address prepared for the 15 July roadshow.
Crezelda Venter Highlights GTA Partnership With TBCSA
The GTA’s relationship with TBCSA formed a central part of Venter’s address.
“Our partnership with TBCSA is one that Gauteng values immensely,” Venter said.
According to the Acting Chief Executive Officer, the partnership represents a shared commitment to growing a competitive, inclusive and resilient tourism sector.
Venter said collaboration can support policies aimed at industry growth, improve the operating environment for tourism businesses and address barriers to investment.
The partnership also contributes to Gauteng’s vision of positioning the province as an economic and visitor gateway to Africa.
According to the GTA, stronger cooperation with industry bodies can help improve visitor experiences, stimulate demand and support tourism enterprises across the province.
Gauteng Wants One Brand And One Tourism Story
Stronger coordination between the province and municipalities was another key issue raised during the roadshow.
Venter said Gauteng is engaging municipalities as it works towards a coordinated tourism approach.
“We speak as one, we have one brand, we tell one story about our beautiful province,” Venter said.
The GTA address also referred to the TBCSA CEO’s call for the sector to “hunt as a pack”.
The approach places coordination at the centre of how Gauteng’s destinations, attractions and visitor experiences are positioned.
The GTA identified urban tourism, business events, heritage, cultural diversity, township tourism experiences, sporting events and the creative industries as key parts of Gauteng’s tourism offering.
GTA Board Members Attend Tourism Industry Engagement
GTA Board members Mr Papa Leshabane and Ms Thami Nkadimeng attended the TBCSA Gauteng Roadshow as the authority engaged tourism businesses and sector organisations.
Their attendance formed part of the GTA’s representation at the tourism industry engagement.
The roadshow brought together tourism leadership, businesses and sector organisations as Gauteng seeks closer coordination across its visitor economy.
Venter said sustainable tourism growth cannot be achieved by government alone.
The GTA’s message focused on partnerships, shared accountability and a common vision for the future of tourism.
Gauteng Tourism Sector Faces Cost And Infrastructure Pressures
The GTA acknowledged that tourism businesses continue to navigate a difficult operating environment.
Venter identified economic pressures, rising operational costs, infrastructure constraints, skills shortages in some areas and safety perceptions among the sector’s challenges.
Gauteng is also competing for visitors and tourism investment in an increasingly competitive global market.
“These realities require us to work more closely than ever before,” Venter said.
According to the Acting Chief Executive Officer, responses to industry pressures need to be coordinated, innovative and informed by the needs of the tourism sector.
The roadshow gave tourism organisations, businesses and government representatives a platform to discuss the wider operating environment.
Sports Tourism And Local Experiences Offer Growth Opportunities
Despite these pressures, the GTA identified areas of opportunity within the tourism economy.
Venter said there is growing demand for authentic local experiences, business events, sports tourism, cultural tourism, gastronomy and digital travel experiences.
The authority also identified opportunities to deepen transformation and expand support for small tourism enterprises.
Technology, destination marketing and sustainability practices remain areas where the sector can develop further.
The GTA said tourism products should benefit communities while improving visitor experiences.
“The conversations we have today have the potential to influence policy, inspire innovation, and create practical solutions that benefit businesses, communities, and visitors alike,” Venter said.
What This Means For Gauteng Residents
The TBCSA Gauteng Roadshow discussions have relevance beyond tourism organisations because the visitor economy connects with businesses and workers across the province.
Tourism activity supports spending across accommodation, transport, food, events and local experiences.
For residents operating tourism enterprises, discussions around operational costs, investment barriers and support for small businesses reflect pressures affecting the sector.
The GTA’s focus on one Gauteng tourism story could also influence how municipalities and local destinations position their attractions to domestic and international visitors.
Residents working in hospitality, events, transport and other tourism related industries are also affected by the infrastructure and skills challenges identified by the authority.
Growth in sports tourism, business events and local experiences could create further opportunities within Gauteng’s visitor economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The TBCSA Gauteng Roadshow 2026?
The TBCSA Gauteng Roadshow is an industry engagement bringing tourism businesses, government representatives and sector organisations together to discuss tourism challenges, opportunities and industry trends.
Who Addressed The Gauteng Tourism Session?
Gauteng Tourism Authority Acting Chief Executive Officer Crezelda Venter addressed stakeholders on the province’s tourism position and its partnership with TBCSA.
Which GTA Board Members Attended The Session?
GTA Board members Mr Papa Leshabane and Ms Thami Nkadimeng attended the session.
What Tourism Opportunities Did The GTA Identify?
The GTA identified authentic local experiences, business events, sports tourism, cultural tourism, gastronomy and digital travel experiences as areas of opportunity.
What Challenges Are Affecting Tourism Businesses?
The GTA identified economic pressures, rising operational costs, infrastructure constraints, skills shortages in some areas, safety perceptions and global competition.
Gauteng Tourism Pushes For A Coordinated Destination Story
The TBCSA Gauteng Roadshow brought tourism businesses, government representatives and sector organisations together at Emperors Palace to discuss Gauteng’s tourism economy.
Venter used her address to highlight the GTA’s partnership with TBCSA, the pressures affecting tourism businesses and opportunities within the visitor economy.
The GTA’s message centred on stronger industry coordination and a common provincial tourism story.
As Gauteng works with municipalities and tourism stakeholders, Venter said partnerships and shared accountability will remain important to strengthening the province’s tourism sector and supporting local economies.
