The inaugural Garden Route Travel Expo took place on December 10, 2026, at Villa Castollini in Knysna. Africa Complete organized the event to bring together tourism suppliers and travel professionals from across the region.
Expo Format Facilitates Focused Networking
The expo employed a speed marketing format where participants had eight minutes per session to present their businesses to travel consultants. Tour operators from Cape Town, alongside local operators and travel agents from the Garden Route, were invited to attend. Guest houses, activity providers, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses participated to build direct relationships with industry intermediaries.
Regional Tourism Industry Benefits from New Platform
The event aimed to strengthen connections within the tourism
sector and promote collaboration in the Garden Route. By connecting local businesses directly with tour operators and travel agents, the expo provided opportunities to reach new markets and increase the region’s visibility in travel itineraries. The previously underutilized Knysna-Plett tourism industry now has a dedicated platform to enhance business opportunities and foster regional cooperation.
