Despite journey warnings from Canada, U.S. and China, South Africa information historic 10.5 million guests in 2025

The figures have been confirmed by Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, who described the achievement as a defining second for the sector’s restoration.

According to the Minister, the December efficiency alone underscored the size of the rebound.

“In December 2025, South Africa welcomed 10.5 million visitors to our country, an increase of 17.6% against the 2024 figures. This is the highest number of arrivals on record and exceeds the previous highest number recorded in 2018. We have now, for the first time, exceeded the 2019 arrivals by 2.6%,” Minister de Lille stated.

Beyond headline progress, the financial implications are important. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised tourism’s broader nationwide contribution.

“Every visitor to our country contributes to our foreign revenue earnings, supports local businesses, bolsters local economies, and helps to create and sustain jobs. Tourism currently sustains 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs and contributes nearly 9% to our GDP,” he stated.

While long-haul markets stay vital, regional journey continued to dominate customer inflows.

Zimbabwe emerged as a number one contributor, surpassing conventional supply markets such because the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan and Botswana, based on StatsSA.

Cross-border journey stays central to this pattern, with Zimbabwean guests often travelling to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town for leisure, enterprise and medical tourism.

In December 2025 alone, Zimbabwe recorded 209,927 guests; the best quantity from any African nation.

At the identical time, Europe remained a key driver of long-haul enlargement. Arrivals from the area rose 12.6% in 2025, led by the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium and Italy.

British vacationers, drawn by safari experiences, wildlife sights and cultural occasions, continued to signify a robust supply market.

Germany adopted carefully behind, recording 33,917 arrivals in December, overtaking the United States in month-to-month arrivals for that interval.

Not all main supply markets recorded progress in 2025.

Visitor arrivals from the United States and Canada moderated in the course of the 12 months, reflecting a extra cautious journey atmosphere amongst long-haul travellers.

American guests accounted for roughly 16% of long-haul arrivals, but December recorded 36,361 U.S. travellers, down from 39,100 within the earlier 12 months. Canadian journey confirmed a equally restrained sample.

The slowdown has been partly attributed to up to date journey advisories issued by each governments, warning residents about dangers reminiscent of theft and violent crime in sure South African cities.

On May 27, the United States revealed a Level 2 advisory , urging travellers to train elevated warning when visiting the nation.

“Violent crimes occur frequently throughout the country and have involved foreigners,” Canada warned, including that such incidents might embody armed robberies, burglaries, residence invasions, carjackings, homicide, and assaults, together with sexual assaults.

Beyond North America, different main outbound markets adopted a equally cautious stance. During the summer time, the Chinese embassy in South Africa issued a safety notice, citing the chance of “kidnapping and other serious crimes” and advising residents to intensify safety consciousness.

Australia additionally up to date its travel advisory on November 28, encouraging travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa.”

Geopolitical dynamics might have additional formed traveller sentiment.

Since President Donald Trump’s return to workplace in January 2025, periodic tensions between Washington and Pretoria have contributed to a extra unsure journey local weather.

While customer flows stay substantial, the mixed impact of those advisories seems to have softened demand from some conventional long-haul markets.

In distinction, Russian vacationer arrivals recorded the quickest progress amongst abroad markets.

According to StatsSA, arrivals in December 2025 rose 34.4% to five,162, reflecting strengthened diplomatic and financial ties between South Africa and Russia.

Despite fluctuations in long-haul markets, Africa stays South Africa’s strongest tourism basis.

Of the two,773,954 overseas travellers passing by means of South African ports in December 2025, 738,362 (97.4%) originated from SADC international locations.

Mozambique contributed 181,250 guests, adopted by Lesotho with 115,831, Eswatini with 97,914, and Botswana with 54,704.

Beyond the SADC area, Kenya recorded 6,581 guests, Ghana 4,352, and Nigeria 2,474.

The surge in 2025 displays South Africa’s restoration efforts and a rising give attention to luxurious and eco-tourism experiences.

Following the profitable internet hosting of the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, the World Economic Forum plans a Special Davos Meeting within the nation in 2026, reinforcing confidence in South Africa’s tourism capabilities.

Minister de Lille stated, “Tourism is working. Tourism is delivering. And tourism will remain a cornerstone of inclusive growth, investment, and job creation in South Africa.”