South Africa has presented 15 tourism projects worth R3.5 billion (US$210 million) – ranging from an ultra-luxury floating hotel in Cape Town to the redevelopment of the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the planned expansion and aerotropolis development at the Cape Winelands Airport – to investors.
The projects were presented to investors at the second annual SA Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit (SATIS) in Johannesburg on October 1. The Department of Tourism described them as “highly bankable” opportunities.
Representing public and privately owned properties, the opportunities span accommodation, tourist attractions, heritage spaces, entertainment facilities and infrastructure:
- Water World Fun Park in East London
- Tokai Manor in Table Mountain National Park
- Groote Schuur Estate Tea Room and Restaurant
- Hole-in-the-Wall Resort in the Eastern Cape
- Development of an aerotropolis and expansion of the Cape Winelands Airport
- Durban Amusement Park
- Johannesburg Art Gallery redevelopment
- Khai Apple Resort in the Northern Cape
- East London Race Track
- Groenkloof Precinct in Pretoria
- Miniature World in Cape Town
- Project Inkunzi ultra-luxury floating hotel in Cape Town
- Framora Hotel in Limpopo
- Protea Hotel Gqeberha – Villa Felic four-star hospitality development
- Strand Street Quarry Tourism Development Project in Cape Town
Four of these projects were carried over from eight highlighted at the inaugural summit in 2025: Water World Fun Park, Tokai Manor, Groote Schuur Estate Tea Room and Restaurant and Hole-in-the-Wall Resort.
Of the eight projects highlighted at the 2025 summit, the Department of Tourism says three have secured funding.
Towards the end of the summit, North West MEC for Economic Development, Conservation, Environment and Tourism Bitsa Lenkopane submitted 11 additional tourism projects, valued at R1.2 billion (US$72 million), to the SATIS pipeline. These projects will be screened before they are potentially added to the investment booklet.
Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism, said tourism must be viewed as an economic sector with significant capacity to generate investment and to create jobs at scale. She shared various achievements within the South African tourism sector, including inclusion in the upcoming World Tourism Council in Malta with the Global Tourism Champion Award for dedication to reviving and advancing the global travel and tourism sector.
