The KwaZulu-Natal north coast town of uMhlathuze will host the Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA), an event that showcases Africa’s tourism investment potential by positioning emerging destinations as prime investment hubs and connecting projects with investors.

uMhlathuze, the third largest municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, was on Wednesday officially announced as the host city.

The third annual TIFA, will bring together business people and investors from across the country and continent, looking for investment opportunities.

By offering a unique platform to present market-ready tourism projects, the TIFA enables African destinations to secure investment, ensuring long-term economic success.

The inaugural TIFA was hosted in Kanoneiland, Upington in 2023, followed by a second edition in Cape Town last year.

The selection of uMhlathuze, a key port city in KwaZulu-Natal, underscores its growing reputation as a dynamic hub for tourism, trade, and investment.

The event, to be hosted in Richards Bay on August 26 and 27, will take place under the theme: Tourism and Infrastructure Investment: Driving Economic Transformation and Enhancing Community Well-Being.

It is expected to attract key industry stakeholders, investors, policymakers, and tourism leaders from across Africa and beyond. TIFA will provide a platform for impactful discussions, partnerships, and investment opportunities that will drive sustainable growth and development within the continent’s tourism sector.

Xolani Ngwezi, mayor of uMhlathuze Municipality, emphasised the city’s commitment to leveraging TIFA 2025 as a catalyst for local economic development.

“We intend to drive economic growth while positioning our port city and region as a competitive hub for export trade and investment. For this reason, the city has various investment projects in the pipeline aimed at unlocking the region’s global competitiveness, not only for trade but also for tourism,” said Ngwezi.

He said their strategic location as a gateway to the natural attractions of Zululand and Maputaland, along with their growing popularity as a cruise ship destination, makes them an ideal host for this prestigious event.

Sibusiso Gumbi, CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, said this initiative aligns with their strategic mandate to position and promote the province as a desirable tourism destination and film location.

"Hosting the event will not only create opportunities for access to capital but also elevate lesser-known regions and cities as attractive investment locations and business events destinations.”

The city’s own investment projects and initiatives – including catalytic ones - will come under the spotlight. Site visits to various locations will be organised for delegates, which also showcases the tourism potential of the Zulu Kingdom.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE