South Africa's tourism industry continued its strong recovery during the first six months of 2026, with the country recording a significant increase in international visitor arrivals.
According to the Department of Tourism, South Africa welcomed 5 584 473 international tourists between January and June 2026. This represents a 12.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025, highlighting continued growth across both regional and overseas tourism markets.
International Tourist Arrivals Continue To Rise
The latest tourism statistics show that the sector maintained positive momentum throughout the first half of the year, driven largely by an increase in visitors from across the African continent.
International arrivals from Africa rose by 14.3%, while overseas markets recorded 5.6% growth, demonstrating South Africa's continued appeal as a destination for international travellers.
June 2026 also delivered encouraging results, with 823 365 international tourists visiting the country during the month. This represents a 9.8% year-on-year increase compared to June 2025.
Tourist arrivals from African countries experienced particularly strong growth, increasing by 12.1% during June.
United States Remains Leading Overseas Market
The United States remained South Africa's largest overseas source market for the second consecutive month, with 40 566 American visitors travelling to the country during June 2026.
The continued growth from key international markets reflects the country's ongoing efforts to attract both leisure and business travellers.
Government Credits Tourism Growth Strategy
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said the positive tourism performance demonstrates that government's strategy to diversify South Africa's tourism offering is delivering results.
"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.
Focus On Expanding Tourism Opportunities
The Minister said government will continue strengthening partnerships through joint marketing initiatives across the African continent while increasing South Africa's presence in key overseas markets.
De Lille added that the latest tourism figures reinforce government's commitment to making travel to South Africa easier by improving visitor access, expanding air connectivity and positioning the country as a preferred destination for both leisure and business tourism.
The continued growth in international arrivals is expected to provide further support for South Africa's tourism industry, which plays an important role in creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and supporting businesses across the hospitality and travel sectors.
