The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has long stood as a vital ally in the promotion and sustainable management of South Africa’s natural coastal and marine assets. Their continued support and partnership with the Africa Coastal Maritime & Marine Tourism Trade Market 2025 reinforces a collective vision for a more inclusive, sustainable, and economically active blue economy.
With South Africa’s coastlines offering immense opportunity for tourism, conservation, and climate-smart development, DFFE’s involvement is both strategic and essential. Their commitment to balancing marine ecosystem protection with tourism development forms the foundation of what the Africa Coastal Marine Tourism initiative is all about.
“Tourism in our coastal regions cannot thrive without environmental stewardship, and that’s where DFFE’s leadership becomes a cornerstone,” said a member of the organizing committee.
As a national department, DFFE’s influence reaches across multiple themes featured in this year’s event, including:
- Sustainable tourism infrastructure
- Marine biodiversity protection
- Climate resilience in coastal communities
- Ocean economy development and policy integration
Their insights will enrich key discussions across panel sessions, stakeholder briefings, and strategic breakaways, offering delegates a deeper understanding of how environmental policy meets tourism innovation.
Set to take place on April 15–16, 2025 in Nelson Mandela Bay, the Africa Coastal Marine Tourism Trade Market will welcome officials, investors, operators, academics, and youth—together unpacking how to harness the continent’s coastal and marine assets for long-term prosperity.
The Department joins other influential public and private partners such as:
- SANTACO (transport and tourism integration),
- South African Airways (official travel partner),
- Radisson Blu (accommodation partner),
- Diageo SA, SAIMI, and others—underscoring the event’s cross-sector impact.
With environmental sustainability at its core, the event champions a vision where coastal tourism isn’t just about economic output—but also about protecting ecosystems, uplifting communities, and building a resilient future for generations to come.
