Africa’s tourism industry has been undergoing a green transformation, with a new event now aiming at leading the charge.

The Sustainable Hospitality Africa Conference and Expo (SHACE) has officially launched, creating a dynamic platform for conversations and collaboration around environmentally conscious tourism and hospitality practices. With the first edition set to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from Thursday, 18 to Saturday, 20 September 2025, the event responds to a growing demand for sustainable solutions in one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets.

Driven by a clear urgency to align hospitality with global environmental goals, SHACE aims to bring together hotel operators, tourism boards, architects, interior designers, property developers, and solution providers, all under one roof. The event is positioned not only as an exhibition, but as a knowledge-sharing hub, offering curated conferences and networking opportunities that foster long-term impact.

A Response to Growing Demand :
Tourism in Africa continues to grow, but so does its carbon footprint. The industry has reached a tipping point where sustainability can no longer be an afterthought. SHACE emerges as a timely and vital initiative to support the sector’s transition to more responsible models of development, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water management, and ethical design.

The expo will highlight innovations in eco-friendly architecture, green operations, sustainable materials, and regenerative travel practices. It offers a much-needed bridge between policy, practice, and commercial investment in green infrastructure, particularly in urban hubs and eco-sensitive travel destinations across the continent.

From Vision to Action:
According to the organisers, SHACE is designed to “champion solutions that enable the hospitality industry to thrive while preserving the planet.” In line with this vision, the event will offer workshops and forums that unpack how green policies translate into practice, and how hotels, resorts, and travel providers can measure, and improve, their sustainability performance.

Among its expected highlights are keynote addresses by leading voices in green building, sustainable finance, and climate-smart tourism, as well as immersive displays of innovative products and services that are shaping the future of African travel.

A Green Future for African Hospitality:
With climate change increasingly affecting how and where people travel, sustainability is fast becoming a competitive advantage, and in some cases, a necessity. SHACE arrives at a pivotal time for Africa’s hospitality sector to reimagine its growth model and to embrace a more resilient, eco-conscious future.

As October approaches, all eyes will be on Johannesburg to see how this new platform sets the tone for a greener tourism economy on the continent. And if the interest from stakeholders is anything to go by, SHACE might just be the catalyst Africa’s hospitality sector has been waiting for.