Record-breaking numbers confirm tourism once again driving SA economic growth, says Minister

South Africa's tourism sector is finally booming again, according to Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille.

She reports in a statement that an increase of over 1 million international tourists was recorded between January and September 2025, compared with the same period last year.

These record-breaking numbers confirm that tourism has not only recovered but it is once again driving economic growth, the Minister says.

“This is a clear sign of growing global confidence in South Africa as a destination of choice. The results bear testament to the collaborative efforts between government and the private sector to implement the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, which includes coordinated destination marketing,”

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).

The 2025 numbers reflect growth of about 17% over 2024, he confirms.

Tshivhengwa highlights the arrivals from countries outside of Africa, which show a 10.5% increase.

'These are the big-source markets that touch most of the value chain', he says.

At the same time, the majority of tourists coming into South Africa are still from the SADC region (Southern African Development Community).

With the December holidays around the corner, de Lille called on all South Africans to 'continue showing the spirit of ubuntu and hospitality that defines our nation'.

TOURISM GROWTH BY REGION:

• Africa (land markets) rose by 26.7%, showing sustained regional growth.
• Africa (air markets) grew by 28%, led by the DRC (+58%), Kenya (+27%) and Nigeria (+42%).
• Europe grew by 29%, led by the UK (+35%) and Germany (+31%).
• North America increased by 22%, boosted by Canada’s 47% surge and the United States (+18%).
• Asia and the Middle East continued to deliver solid double-digit growth - Asia +11% and Middle East +58%.

For more detail, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article