South Africa’s tourism sector is showing strong recovery, with over 10.48 million international arrivals recorded in 2025 , the highest number on record. Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille says this growth confirms that tourism is “working, delivering, and driving inclusive economic growth.” With Cabinet endorsing a new Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, the government is now targeting up to 100,000 new jobs through focused reforms, expanded air routes, and digital innovation.
What is happening?
South Africa welcomed 10.48 million international arrivals between January and December 2025, a 17.6% increase from 2024. This performance reflects the country’s growing competitiveness as a destination and was reinforced by winning Best Destination: Africa 2025 at the Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards.
Minister De Lille confirmed this momentum during a national briefing, highlighting the rollout of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, developed with the Tourism Business Council and backed by a real-time performance dashboard.
Why it matters to you
Tourism plays a direct role in job creation across South Africa, especially in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and the Free State. With one job created for every 13 international arrivals, sustained tourism growth helps drive local employment, new infrastructure, and small business support.
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, now expanding after a successful G20 pilot, is expected to create between 80,000 and 100,000 jobs by improving ease of entry from key markets such as India, China, and Indonesia.
What you need to know
The Tourism Growth Partnership Plan is structured around five key priorities:
- Ease of Access
- ETA system rollout to India, China, Mexico, and Indonesia
- Projected to create 80,000–100,000 jobs
- Builds on successful 2025 G20 pilot
- Air Connectivity
- Qantas: Perth–Johannesburg direct flight
- Air France: seasonal daily Cape Town service
- SAA: Cape Town–Mauritius
- FlySafair: Hoedspruit–Cape Town domestic link
- Coordinated Destination Marketing
- Strong festive season for KZN and Durban (1.2 million visitors)
- Free State’s Dinosaur Centre: 80,000 visitors, R1 million revenue
- Integrated promotion at national, provincial, local levels
- Tourist Safety
- 1,500 tourism monitors deployed nationally
- 400+ supported Border Management Authority
- Safety Forum chaired by Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu
- Tourism Product Development
- 8 investment-ready projects launched (R1 billion total)
- 3 projects already funded
- Club Med’s R2.5 billion resort in KZN under development
