South African Tourism strengthened its India market engagement with the successful completion of the Kolkata leg of its Annual India Roadshow, following the initiative’s launch at OTM Mumbai. The roadshow, led by Mitalee Karmarkar, Marketing and Communications Manager (MEISEA), served as a strategic platform to enhance collaboration with Indian travel trade stakeholders and explore business opportunities across leisure, corporate, and MICE travel segments.
The Kolkata event featured more than 40 exhibitors showcasing a wide spectrum of tourism products and attracted participation from over 220 travel trade partners. The multi-city roadshow will proceed to Delhi on February 12, continuing efforts to deepen partnerships and encourage outbound travel to South Africa. The tourism board aims to restore Indian tourist arrivals to pre-COVID levels by 2026 while building long-term collaborations with business partners through targeted marketing initiatives and tailored travel experiences.
Kolkata remains a strategically important outbound travel hub, supported by a mature traveller base increasingly seeking curated itineraries that blend leisure, adventure, wildlife safaris, and premium experiences. Travel industry stakeholders note a growing inclination among Kolkata travellers toward culturally immersive and long-haul destinations, positioning the city as a key contributor to South Africa’s India growth strategy.
South Africa also expects tourism momentum to gain further visibility as the country prepares to host the 2027 ODI World Cup, creating additional global travel opportunities.
