Air routes and inclusion: A leadership blueprint

Johannesburg, February 26, 2025 — In the heart of Sandton, as the final sessions of Meetings Africa 2025 wrapped up, a single question lingered in the air: When will it be Africa’s turn?

Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille had just finished addressing a room filled with aviation and business leaders, outlining the government’s Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan. The discussion was candid, the stakes high. South Africa, long considered the gateway to the continent, was making bold moves to attract global travellers. Yet, as visas were streamlined for China and India, an underlying challenge remained: Was Africa truly benefiting from this transformation?

This moment was more than a policy debate — it was a leadership lesson in real-time. How do nations, industries, and communities ensure progress is inclusive? How do leaders balance immediate wins with long-term vision? And most importantly, how do they drive meaningful change in diverse and complex environments?

From this unfolding narrative, four critical leadership insights emerge — each offering a roadmap not just for tourism executives, but for leaders across industries and continents.

Lesson 1 

Strategy without speed is stagnation

For over a decade, South Africa has debated air route expansion. Since 2012, the tourism sector has identified key opportunities, yet much of the work remained theoretical. Now, in a pivotal G20 year, Minister de Lille made it clear: The time for strategy alone is over. It’s time to act.

The government is rolling out a trio of digital innovations:

• The Trusted Tour Operators Scheme (TTOS) to streamline visa processes for major markets.

• The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), set to reduce processing time to just 72 hours.

• The Digital Nomad Visa, aimed at attracting long-term business travellers.

These are bold, practical moves — but they could have happened sooner.

Actionable tip: Leaders must recognise that while strategy is essential, delayed execution erodes trust. If a solution has been discussed for years, the question is no longer if it’s right, but why it hasn’t been implemented yet. Move from analysis to action.

Lesson 2

Collaboration is the currency of growth

Tourism, like any global industry, does not thrive in isolation. De Lille’s message was clear: The government cannot do it alone. The success of South Africa’s tourism strategy depends on partnerships — with airlines, airport authorities, business leaders, and technology innovators.

At Meetings Africa, representatives from South African Airways, Airports Company South Africa, and Gauteng Air Access shared their challenges in securing new routes. The takeaway? No single entity holds all the solutions.

Actionable tip: Leaders must foster ecosystems, not empires. True progress happens when different stakeholders — sometimes even competitors — find common ground. Ask yourself: Who else needs to be in the room? If your circle is too small, so is your impact.

Lesson 3 

Inclusion is not a side note — It’s the headline

As South Africa expands its global connectivity, the elephant in the room is Africa itself. With streamlined visa access for Chinese and Indian travellers, many in the industry are asking: Why aren’t intra-African travellers receiving the same priority?

Minister Leon Schreiber acknowledged the imbalance. The focus on “low-hanging fruit” markets is a practical economic decision — but without a plan to ease African travel restrictions, the continent risks being left behind in its own renaissance.

Actionable tip: Whether leading a business, a community, or a nation, inclusion is not optional. Leaders must ensure that growth does not come at the expense of those closest to home. The most successful organisations are not just globally competitive — they are locally empowering.

Lesson 4: 

The power of narrative shapes the future

For years, South Africa has been marketed as a destination of breathtaking landscapes and cultural richness. That narrative remains true, but as de Lille pointed out: Beauty alone is not enough.

The tourism industry must now tell a new story — one of innovation, business opportunity, and ease of access. The same principle applies to leadership in any domain: The world responds to stories of vision, not just heritage.

Actionable tip: Leaders must actively shape the narrative of their industries and communities. Ask: What story is being told about us? If it’s outdated or incomplete, change it. Rebranding isn’t just for companies — it’s for countries, movements, and leaders too.

The road ahead: Seizing the moment

As the conference drew to a close, de Lille left the room with a final rallying call: “Forward ever, backward never.”

It was more than just political rhetoric — it was a challenge to every leader in the room. Growth is never just about infrastructure or policy; it is about bold action, meaningful collaboration, inclusive progress, and powerful storytelling.

For South Africa, for Africa, and for any leader navigating complex environments, the time for waiting is over. The moment to act is now.

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