Constitution Hill People’s Park, a site steeped in history, memory, and the enduring spirit of freedom served as a symbolic backdrop for South Africa’s 2025 World Tourism Day celebrations. Marking more than just an annual observance, the day was a powerful reminder of how tourism is shaping the country’s present and future not as a footnote to economic policy, but as a central driver of sustainable transformation.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille highlighted the critical role of the sector in building an inclusive economy and celebrated the milestones achieved by both local communities and national initiatives. Her message was clear: tourism is not just about travel, it’s about transformation, opportunity, and pride.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Justice Mlambo and other dignitaries underscored that democracy is not only about the rights we enjoy, but also about the opportunities we create. In this context, tourism stands out as a sector that both honours South Africa’s past and drives its inclusive, resilient future. As part of this vision, the Department of Tourism has allocated R12 million towards the development of Constitution Hill People’s Park. According to the Constitution Hill Precinct Development Plan, the park is intended as a tribute to the Constitutional Court, much like the symbolic gardens in front of the Union Buildings.
This year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” was far from a mere slogan. It reflects a global imperative to ensure tourism’s benefits are broadly shared and its growth is environmentally and culturally responsible.
From family-owned guesthouses in Bizana to storytelling walking tours in Mamelodi, the tangible impact of tourism is clear. In towns, cities, and remote rural areas, the industry is supporting livelihoods, boosting pride, and fostering local enterprise.
As South Africans rediscover the joy of domestic travel, the sector has recorded remarkable growth:
- Domestic trips rose by 14.8% between January and June 2025, with 3.8 million holiday trips contributing R15.4 billion to GDP.
- 5 million international visitors arrived in the same period, spending R48.7 billion, a 12% increase from the previous year.
- In July 2025 alone, over 880,000 international tourists entered the country a 26% increase year-on-year.
The upcoming Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, launching next month, is projected to drive this growth even further, potentially increasing international arrivals by 1 million and creating 80,000 to 100,000 new jobs. Currently, tourism already supports 1.8 million jobsand contributes 8.8% to South Africa’s GDP.
South Africa continues to innovate in tourism marketing. The Sho’t Left Travel Week offered 650 travel deals, reinforcing the country’s commitment to making travel affordable and accessible to locals.
Internationally renowned events will continue to place South Africa on the global stage:
- LIV Golf will be hosted in Gauteng’s Steyn City in 2026.
- The ICC Cricket World Cup returns to South Africa in 2027.
These sporting events, beyond entertainment, are powerful economic multipliers in creating jobs, boosting tourism, and energizing local economies.
The country’s tourism strategy includes building a strong pipeline of bankable tourism infrastructure projects. The inaugural Tourism Investment Summit, held during South Africa’s G20 Presidency, showcased eight key projects valued at nearly R1 billion. Interest from investors continues to grow, with future summits poised to expand these opportunities.
South Africa’s youth are also shaping the sector’s future. At the first-ever Tourism Hackathon, students from 21 higher education institutions developed AI-driven travel solutions. These innovations were presented to G20 Tourism Ministers in Mpumalanga, highlighting South Africa’s commitment to digital transformation in tourism.
A major highlight of 2025 was the opening of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre at Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Since its launch in June, the centre has welcomed over 50,000 visitors, demonstrating the public’s enthusiasm for heritage-based tourism.
The provinces are also playing a pivotal role in tourism growth. Africa’s Travel Indaba will return to its home province for the next five years, while Gauteng remains the anchor for Meetings Africa, both key platforms for tourism promotion and business development.
To conclude the World Tourism Day festivities, the public is invited to explore Johannesburg through the popular “Jozi My Jozi” walking tours, and to experience the Soweto Expo a two-day celebration of local talent, entrepreneurship, live entertainment, and artisanal craftsmanship.
On this World Tourism Day, South Africa sends a powerful message: Tourism is not just a leisure activity, it is a catalyst for economic inclusion, cultural pride, and sustainable development.