The SADC region has been jolted into convening a high-level side event at the ongoing Africa Travel Indaba to consider ways to boost the region's tourism potential.

This is after it came to light that, despite the vast and compelling tourism sector in the region, bottlenecks are impeding the growth and development of the regional tourism sector.

The event was held under the theme Unlocking Regional Connectivity: Rethinking How Southern Africa Moves Its Visitors.

The event brought together government officials and private sector leaders to accelerate solutions that will transform regional connectivity and unlock tourism growth across Southern Africa.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), tourism directly contributed around US$19.4 billion to the total SADC gross domestic product in 2017, sustaining about 2.5 million jobs.

When considering its indirect and induced impacts, the sector contributed about US$56 billion of SADC GDP, with more than 6.3 million jobs depending on tourism.

The SADC spokesperson Barbara Lopi told NBC News in a telephone interview that the region's tourism sector remains largely underdeveloped, hence the convening of the side event.

"Fragmented travel, limited air routes, varying visa requirements, and border inefficiencies have slowed progress. The SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030 identifies connectivity as the foundation for growth, and this event is designed to move beyond reporting progress into dynamic, solution-driven dialogue," said Lopi.

By uniting policymakers and private sector leaders, the session will focus on practical strategies to position Southern Africa as a seamless, multi-country destination that is easy to explore and attractive to global travellers.