South Africa’s tourism sector is maintaining a strong upward trajectory with international arrivals continuing to rise month after month reinforcing the country’s position as a leading global travel destination.
In March 2026 alone, 911,962 international visitors chose South Africa, marking a 12.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This sustained growth follows a record-breaking of 10.5 million arrivals in 2025, signalling renewed global confidence in the country’s tourism offering.The first quarter of 2026 has built on this momentum. South Africa recorded a total of 2,910,029 inbound travellers, reflecting consistent double digit growth across all three months:
- January 2026: 1,133,533 arrivals (up 12.4% year-on-year)
- February 2026: 864,534 arrivals (up 13.1% year-on-year)
- March 2026: 911,962 arrivals (up 12.5% year-on-year)
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille welcomed the continued growth, highlighting the role of collaboration across the sector. “We welcome this growth which once again illustrates that the partnership between government and the private sector is yielding positive outcomes. As we approach Workers’ Month in May, I want to express my gratitude to workers in the sector. It is their professionalism and ubuntu that elevate the experience of our visitors,” she said.
Beyond visitor numbers, tourism remains a critical pillar of South Africa’s economy and employment landscape. According to Statistics South Africa’s Tourism Satellite Account, the sector accounted for 953,981 direct jobs in 2024, representing 5.7% of the country’s total employment.
As international arrivals continue to climb, the focus now shifts to sustaining this growth ensuring that infrastructure, service delivery and workforce capacity keep pace with demand. If maintained, this momentum positions tourism not only as a recovery story but as a long-term engine for inclusive economic growth.