Following its roadshow engagement at OTM Mumbai, South African Tourism has concluded the Bengaluru leg of its Annual India Roadshow, continuing its outreach to the Indian travel trade and reinforcing India’s role as an important source market for South Africa. Led by Mitalee Karmarkar, Marketing and Communications Manager (MEISEA), South African Tourism, the roadshow provides a platform for dialogue with trade partners, discussion on evolving traveller trends, and identification of opportunities across leisure, corporate and MICE segments.
Featuring over 40 exhibitors presenting a diverse range of offerings, the roadshow drew participation from over 235 Indian travel trade agents in Bengaluru. Continuing its focused engagement with the Indian market, the multi-city initiative will next move to Ahmedabad on 10th February 2026, further strengthening trade collaborations and encouraging outbound travel to South Africa.
Sharing her perspective at the roadshow, Karmarkar said, “India continues to be a priority growth market for South African Tourism, driven by strong interest across family travel, experiential holidays, and premium travel. Indian travellers today are also planning differently, using AI-powered tools to research and customise their trips, travelling more occasionally, and showing a growing willingness to explore destinations beyond traditional favourites. This shift in traveller behaviour reflects a more confident and curious audience, and it opens up new opportunities to highlight lesser-known regions and experiences across South Africa
She added, “Bengaluru has firmly established itself as one of South Africa’s key source markets in India. Travellers from the city are digitally savvy, experience-driven, and increasingly confident in exploring long-haul destinations. Through the roadshow, we aim to deepen our engagement with the local travel trade and further strengthen South Africa’s visibility and relevance in this important market.”
With a strong base of frequent international travellers, Bengaluru represents a high-potential market for South African Tourism, particularly across premium leisure, adventure, and wildlife segments. The city’s outbound audience is increasingly seeking personalised, well-paced itineraries that combine iconic experiences with lesser-explored regions, with safaris continuing to be a key motivator. Through sustained collaboration with the travel trade, South African Tourism is focused on unlocking new itineraries and driving greater consideration and conversion from this market.
South African Tourism is targeting a return to pre-pandemic Indian visitor volumes in 2026 and remains focused on strengthening long-term partnerships with Indian trade stakeholders. In addition, South Africa’s hosting of the 2027 ODI World Cup is expected to further support destination visibility and travel interest. Through continued trade engagement and targeted marketing initiatives, the tourism board aims to sustain growth and expand its footprint in the Indian market.
