Zuko Komisa
- South Africa’s tourism sector has surpassed pre-pandemic benchmarks, attracting 10.5 million international visitors throughout 2025.
- The industry currently supports 1.9 million jobs and is projected to contribute over 10% to the national GDP by 2035.
- Experts are calling for strategic policy shifts to convert high travel demand into sustained regional development and long-term employment.
New data from Eighty20 reveals that tourism is currently outperforming most other sectors of the South African economy.
With domestic travel expenditure reaching R665 billion, the industry has become a vital lifeline for national stability.
Analysts suggest that if the current momentum is maintained, the sector’s contribution to GDP will climb to 10.3% over the next decade, further cementing its role as a primary driver of wealth and infrastructure.
The sector already sustains nearly two million livelihoods, but there is significant untapped potential for regional development.
By focusing on high-growth provinces and emerging consumer trends, the industry can distribute economic benefits more equitably across the country, provided that the government addresses existing policy bottlenecks.
Despite the optimistic outlook, the sector faces hurdles that could stifle long-term growth.
To ensure that tourism continues to carry the economy, stakeholders are advocating for improved provincial performance and a focus on resilience against global market fluctuations.
With the right legislative support, the current travel boom can be transformed from a post-pandemic recovery into a permanent foundation for South African employment.
Alan Campbell of ANEW Hotels emphasises that while the 10.5 million visitor milestone is impressive, the ultimate priority must be job creation.
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