South Africa's tourism industry is not only recovering; It's reaching new heights, new data shows how it has transformed into a strong engine of economic growth and job creation, report Cape {city} etc.
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According to South Africa's latest tourism satellite account report, the sector flourished in 2024, recording an impressive 953,981 direct jobs, equivalent to 5.7% of the country's labor force.
This means that approximately one in every 18 workers is being directly employed in tourism, a testament to the sector's vital role in the national economy.
Furthermore, the report projects that the contribution of tourism to South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to increase to 4.9% in 2024, surpassing the pre-pandemic contribution of 3.7% seen in 2019.
Notably, the tourism sector has outperformed key sectors such as agriculture, utilities and construction, reflecting its vital importance in the economic structure of the country.
Tourism's financial footprint has also seen a significant resurgence, with total expenditure reaching R779.2 billion.
This figure includes both domestic and inbound tourism expenditure, with domestic tourists contributing R665.3 billion, while international visitors contributed R113.9 billion.
'This confirms once again that domestic tourists are the backbone of the sector in our country.' Minister Patricia De Lille highlighted the importance of local holidays in boosting the economy and creating jobs, noting the ongoing recovery in international tourism.
The momentum continues, as the country sees a record 10.5 million international arrivals in 2025. The beginning of 2026 has also seen a significant increase, welcoming almost 2 million visitors in the first two months alone:
- January 2026: 1,133,533 arrivals (12.4% increase compared to January 2025)
- February 2026: 864,534 arrivals (13.1% increase compared to February 2025)
De Lille anticipates these numbers will continue to grow due to the ongoing rollout of the Electronic Travelers Authorization and an active marketing strategy aimed at positioning South Africa as a top choice for affordable holidays and a leading destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
These impressive figures and positive forecasts are largely attributed to the effective implementation of the Cabinet-approved Tourism Development Partnership Plan, a strategic framework developed collaboratively by the government and the private sector.
Article shared by Cape ETC
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