South Africa Welcomes 8.9 Million International Visitors in 2024
International arrivals show a 5.1% YOY increase; Africa accounts for 76% of arrivals, led by Zimbabwe and Ghana.
South Africa welcomed 8.92 million international visitors in 2024, a 5.1% increase compared to the previous year, according to the latest data from Statistics South Africa.
While the sector has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels fully, its contribution to GDP now stands at 8.8%, supporting 1.68 million jobs, as reported by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
“It is encouraging to see that despite economic uncertainties in various parts of the world, the global tourism sector is growing. It is even more encouraging that our country follows the same trend and trajectory,” stated Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille.
Africa Leads the Charge
Africa remains the primary source of South Africa’s tourists, accounting for 76% of all arrivals, or 6.8 million visitors in 2024. Zimbabwe leads as the top market, with 2,183,260 million arrivals, up 3.6% from 2023.
Ghana saw a significant 149% increase, reaching 36,656 arrivals, largely due to the visa waiver introduced in November 2023, which permits travel for up to 90 days without a visa for business or tourism purposes, facilitating easier movement between the two countries, the report notes.
Regional Performance
The Americas: The Americas recorded a 10.9% rise in arrivals, totalling 505,579 visitors. The United States remains the largest source market, with 372,362 tourists.
Asia: Asia saw a 4.2% increase in arrivals, with 207,718 visitors. China led this growth, increasing 11.4% to 41,651 arrivals. Japan also showed strong growth (31.8%), with 17,370 visitors.
Europe: Arrivals from this region remained relatively stable, growing by 1.1% to reach 1.26 million. The UK remains the largest European market (349,883 visitors), though arrivals were slightly down (-1.8%).
Middle East: Arrivals from the Middle East decreased by 16.1%, totalling 45,602 visitors in 2024. Saudi Arabia bucked the trend with a 12.1% increase, contributing 18,333 arrivals. The UAE accounted for 6,717 visitors, though overall regional performance faced setbacks.
South Africa’s Tourism Strategy: Focus Areas
South Africa’s tourism strategy focuses on several key areas to drive future growth including:
Expanding Airlift (Efforts are underway to reinstate key routes, build airline partnerships, and improve direct access to various destinations); Targeted Marketing (Promoting unique South African experiences in key international markets, including China and India);
Boosting Digital Engagement (Increasing digital engagement and leveraging technology to improve traveller experiences, potentially including AI-powered tools);
Sustainable Tourism Development (Prioritising sustainable tourism practices, including eco-tourism and the promotion of cultural and heritage experiences);
Safety and Security (Working to enhance safety and security measures for both travellers and local communities).
Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, noted that the sector’s contribution to the economy remains strong, with ongoing efforts to boost growth and job creation.
