South Africa's G20 Presidency has prioritized four key areas to boost tourism: digital innovation for startups and MSMEs, sustainable tourism investment, air connectivity, and resilience for inclusive growth.

The global tourism sector showed a 5% increase in international arrivals in the first half of 2025, highlighting recovery but also emphasizing the need for sustainable and resilient practices.

Tourism remains undervalued in global development finance, receiving less than 0.11% of official development assistance, despite its importance for employment, foreign exchange, and tax revenues, especially in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Indonesia actively engages in bilateral talks and showcases its tourism initiatives, including its five priority destinations and SEZs, aiming to foster international partnerships.

South Africa's Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille highlighted tourism's role in economic growth, supporting over 1.5 million jobs and contributing 8.5% to the country's GDP.

Tourism is recognized as a vital driver of economic, cultural, and sustainable development, with a focus on digital transformation, investment, connectivity, and resilience, especially as Africa's role grows.

Discussions focused on enhancing air connectivity to boost tourist flows and building resilient tourism frameworks capable of withstanding disruptions like pandemics.

De Lille emphasized the importance of digital transformation for MSMEs, advocating for improved digital literacy and support for incubators to empower small businesses.

Given tourism's vulnerability to shocks, developing risk assessment tools, contingency plans, and diversifying tourism products are essential to protect livelihoods and the environment.

The G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting at Kruger National Park finalized an action plan to promote sustainable tourism development among member countries based on four key priorities.

The plan calls for mobilizing both public and private investments to fund sustainable infrastructure, eco-lodges, and low-impact services, utilizing innovative financing models and public-private partnerships.

Africa's young demographic, with 70% under 30 in sub-Saharan Africa, presents significant opportunities for tourism-led employment, innovation, and inclusive growth through targeted investment and community involvement.

Indonesia advocates for fair and sustainable financing models to facilitate inclusive tourism investments, particularly benefiting underserved communities.

G20 economies generate 70% of international tourist arrivals and 83% of global tourism GDP, with tourism contributing around 3.1% to G20 GDP in 2023, underscoring its economic significance.

Leaders stressed that resilience in tourism depends on sustainability, advocating for green investments, ecosystem protection, and inclusive business models supported by digital and financial tools.

Enhancing air connectivity through regional links, streamlined visa procedures, and cleaner aviation technologies remains a key focus, given G20 countries' dominance in international tourist arrivals.

South Africa aims to implement G20 commitments to promote a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global tourism sector by leveraging digital tools and sustainable investments.

The G20 adopted the Mpumalanga Declaration, promoting tourism that supports economic growth while addressing environmental concerns.

Digital innovation is crucial for empowering local businesses and bridging digital infrastructure gaps, especially in developing regions.

South Africa's leadership highlights Africa's tourism potential, with 19% of the global population and significant opportunities for investment and job creation.

De Lille emphasized that the interconnected priorities of the G20 embody core values of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability, striving for a balanced and inclusive global tourism sector.

UN Tourism was recognized as a knowledge partner of the South African G20 Presidency, emphasizing tourism's role in exports and GDP contributions across G20 nations.