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Date: 9 October 2026
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has presented H.E. Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism of South Africa, with its Global Champion Award, recognising her leadership in advancing Travel & Tourism and her commitment to strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector.
The award was presented during the WTTC Global Summit in Valletta, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates, including over 200 of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism CEOs and government leaders.
The Global Champion Award recognises public leaders whose policies and initiatives support the growth, competitiveness and international visibility of Travel & Tourism, while championing engagement with industry and creating the conditions for long-term sector success.
South Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector remains a vital source of employment, investment and economic opportunity. WTTC’s latest available country research forecasts the sector will support 1.9 million jobs in 2025, an all-time high and equivalent to 11.3% of national employment.
The sector’s total contribution to South Africa’s economy is forecast to reach ZAR 659.8 billion, underlining its importance as a driver of economic activity and inclusive growth across the country.
WTTC has also highlighted the significant opportunity ahead for the sector, forecasting that Travel & Tourism could add more than 620,000 additional jobs by 2035 and contribute ZAR 911.7 billion to the national economy.
Realising this potential will require continued collaboration between government and industry, particularly in key areas such as connectivity, investment, workforce development and destination competitiveness.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “Minister de Lille has been a strong champion of engagement with the private sector, recognising that sustainable tourism growth is only possible when governments and businesses work together towards common goals.”
“Her leadership and commitment to collaboration have helped strengthen South Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector and unlock opportunities for investment, job creation and long-term growth. This award recognises her efforts to build partnerships that support the sector’s future success and maximise its benefits for communities across the country.”
WTTC continues to advocate for policies that support investment, connectivity, workforce development and sustainable destination growth across Africa and around the world.
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About the World Travel & Tourism Council
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global body representing the private sector of Travel & Tourism and the leading authority on the sector’s economic and social contribution worldwide. Its members include Chairmen, Presidents and CEOs of the world’s leading travel and tourism companies across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, technology platforms and destinations, spanning every major region globally.
WTTC works to advance sustainable growth across the Travel & Tourism sector by driving collaboration between industry leaders and governments, shaping global policy, and providing authoritative research on the sector’s economic impact worldwide.