South Africa Records 12.3% Growth in International Tourist Arrivals

South Africa Records 12.3% Growth in International Tourist Arrivals

Over 5.5 million visitors recorded in first half of 2026 as regional, overseas markets strengthen recovery. South Africa&039;s tourism industry maintained its recovery momentum in the first half of 2026, recording a double-digit increase in international visitor arrivals as the country continues to strengthen its position as one of Africa&039;s leading travel destinations. Latest figures released by the Department of Tourism show that South Africa welcomed 5,584,473 international tourists between January and June 2026, representing a 12.3 per cent increase compared with the corresponding period in 2025. The positive performance reflects sustained demand from both regional and long-haul markets, with arrivals from across the African continent leading the growth. According to the report, tourist arrivals from Africa rose by 14.3 per cent , while overseas arrivals increased by 5.6 per cent , highlighting the country&039;s continued attractiveness to international travellers seeking leisure, business and cultural experiences. The month of June also recorded encouraging results, with 823,365 international tourists visiting South Africa, an increase of 9.8 per cent over the same month last year. Regional travel remained a major driver of growth, as arrivals from African countries increased by 12.1 per cent compared with June 2025. The United States retained its position as South Africa&039;s leading overseas source market for the second consecutive month, with 40,566 American visitors travelling to the country in June. Commenting on the latest figures, South Africa&039;s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, attributed the sustained growth to government efforts to diversify the country&039;s tourism products while strengthening collaboration with industry stakeholders and international partners. She said: "The deliberate decision to diversify our tourism products is yielding positive results. The sustained growth in both regional and overseas arrivals reflects the resilience of our tourism sector and the effectiveness of the partnerships we have built with industry and our international markets." De Lille said the government would continue to deepen cooperation with tourism stakeholders through joint marketing campaigns across Africa while expanding promotional activities in key international markets. According to her, improving accessibility remains central to the country&039;s tourism growth strategy, with continued efforts to strengthen air connectivity and make travel to South Africa easier for international visitors. She added that the latest performance reinforces government&039;s commitment to positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for both leisure and business tourism. The latest figures signal continued confidence in South Africa&039;s tourism sector as the country builds on its post-pandemic recovery and pursues sustained growth through product diversification, stronger regional partnerships and expanded global market outreach.