Coastal Marine & Waterways Tourism Investment Summit

INTRODUCTION

The Africa Coastal Marine and Maritime Alliance (ACMMTA), in partnership with Madibeng Local Municipality, will host the Coastal Marine & Waterways Tourism Investment Summit on 23 – 24 September 2025 in Hartbeespoort, North West Province at Artelier function venue.

This Summit is a follow-up event to the Africa Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Trade Market, successfully hosted in April2025, which brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and communities to explore the vastpotential of marine and maritime tourism in Africa.

Given the National Department of Tourism (NDT)’s leadership role in developing South Africa’s Coastal Marine Tourism subsector, we regard the Coastal Marine Unit as a key strategic stakeholder partner in advancing both the inland waterwaysand coastal tourism agendas. 

PURPOSE OF THE PARTNERSHIP

We seek to formalise a partnership with the NDT Coastal Marine Unit to:

• – Position the Summit as a national platform for discussing, aligning, and unlocking coastal marine and waterways tourism opportunities.
• – Showcase national strategies, policies, and priority projects in the subsector.
• – Mobilise stakeholders from across the country to collaborate on investment, sustainability, and enterprise development initiatives.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SUMMIT

• – Provide a platform for stakeholders in the subsector to present their plans and initiatives.
• – Create awareness of national, provincial, and local development opportunities.
• – Facilitate discussions on investment opportunities and partnerships.
• – Support job creation, youth development, and community-based tourism enterprises.

TARGET STAKEHOLDERS

The Summit will convene 150 delegates, including:

• – National, Provincial, and Local Government representatives.
• – Public entities such as SAMSA, SAIMI, Nelson Mandela University, DFFE, and SA
  Tourism (Cruise Desk).
• – Private sector and industry bodies
• – Tourism investors and developers.
• – Community tourism operators and cooperatives.

WHY MADIBENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITY?

• – Progressive economic growth agenda aligned with marine and Waterways tourism.
• – Strategic waterways position with maritime infrastructure and community engagement.
• – Municipality plays an increasing role in the Waterways Tourism marine economy
  and blue development.
• – Key Madibeng node for long-term Waterways tourism impact and investment.

Madibeng Theme:

“Unlocking the Blue Economy: Sustainable Investment in Coastal & Inland Waterways Tourism”