south africa tourism trends

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Tourism in South Africa - statistics & facts

The effects of the covid-19 pandemic, a higher domestic tourist spending, increasing accommodation availability and dropping occupancy rate, key insights.

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Absolute economic contribution of tourism in Tunisia 2014-2029

International tourist arrivals in Africa 2020, by country

Number of countries with visa free access to South Africans 2010-2022

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Number of overnight tourists in South Africa from 2012 to 2021

Available hotel rooms in South Africa 2000-2021

Occupancy rate of hotels in South Africa by stars 2012-2022

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• Basic Statistic Passport visa free score in Africa 2023, by country
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• Basic Statistic Number of countries with visa free access to South Africans 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic International tourist arrivals in Africa 2020, by country

Passport visa free score in Africa 2023, by country

African passports with visa free access to other countries as of January 2023

Visa openness index in Africa 2021, by indicator

Leading countries according to visa openness in Africa as of 2021, by indicator

Number of countries with visa free access to South Africans from 2010 to 2022

Ranking of the international tourist arrivals in Africa by country 2020 (in millions)

Economic contribution

• Basic Statistic Contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in South Africa 2005-2021
• Basic Statistic Value added of travel and tourism to GDP in South Africa 2019-2021
• Basic Statistic Tourism direct gross value added in South Africa 2015-2021
• Basic Statistic Tourism direct gross value added in South Africa 2021, by industry
• Basic Statistic Total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in South Africa 2019-2021

Contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in South Africa 2005-2021

Contribution of travel and tourism to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa from 2005 to 2021

Value added of travel and tourism to GDP in South Africa 2019-2021

Contribution of travel and tourism to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in South Africa from 2019 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Tourism direct gross value added in South Africa 2015-2021

Direct gross value added of the tourism industry in South Africa from 2015 to 2021 (in million South African rand)

Tourism direct gross value added in South Africa 2021, by industry

Tourism direct gross value added in South Africa in 2021, by industry (in million South African rand)

Total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in South Africa 2019-2021

Number of jobs in the travel and tourism sector in South Africa from 2019 to 2021 (in millions)

Inbound and outbound tourists

• Premium Statistic Number of international tourist arrivals in South Africa 2014-2029
• Basic Statistic Number of tourists arriving in South Africa from 2011 to 2022, by mode of travel
• Basic Statistic Number of tourists arriving in South Africa from 2014-2022, by purpose of visit
• Basic Statistic Total traveler departures from South Africa 2014-2022
• Basic Statistic Number of foreign traveler departures from South Africa 2014-2022

Number of international tourist arrivals in South Africa 2014-2029

Number of international tourist arrivals in South Africa from 2014 to 2029 (in millions)

Number of tourists arriving in South Africa from 2011 to 2022, by mode of travel

Number of tourists arriving in South Africa from 2011 to 2022, by mode of travel (in 1,000s)

Number of tourists arriving in South Africa from 2014-2022, by purpose of visit

Number of tourists arriving in South Africa from 2014 to 2022, by purpose of visit (in 1,000s)

Total traveler departures from South Africa 2014-2022

Total number of traveler departures from South Africa from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Number of foreign traveler departures from South Africa 2014-2022

Number of foreign traveler departures from South Africa from 2014 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Tourism expenditure

• Basic Statistic Foreign tourism visitor spending in South Africa 2009-2021
• Basic Statistic Foreign tourism visitor spending as a share of exports in South Africa 2009-2020
• Basic Statistic Share of domestic and international travel spending in South Africa 2019-2020
• Basic Statistic Tourism expenditure in South Africa 2019-2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Expenditure per capita on international tourism in South Africa 2001-2029
• Premium Statistic International tourism receipts per capita in South Africa 2001-2029

Foreign tourism visitor spending in South Africa 2009-2021

International visitor spending in South Africa from 2009 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Foreign tourism visitor spending as a share of exports in South Africa 2009-2020

International visitor spending as a share of total exports in South Africa from 2009 to 2020

Share of domestic and international travel spending in South Africa 2019-2020

Share of domestic and international expenditure in the sector of travel and tourism in South Africa in 2019 and 2020

Tourism expenditure in South Africa 2019-2021, by type

Distribution of tourism expenditure in South Africa in 2019 and 2021, by type

Expenditure per capita on international tourism in South Africa 2001-2029

Expenditure per capita on international tourism in South Africa from 2001 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

International tourism receipts per capita in South Africa 2001-2029

International tourism receipts per capita in South Africa from 2001 to 2029 (in U.S. dollars)

Hotels and accommodation

• Premium Statistic Monthly number of foreign overnight visitors in South Africa 2022
• Premium Statistic Available hotel rooms in South Africa 2000-2021
• Premium Statistic Occupancy rate of hotels in South Africa from 2000 to 2021
• Premium Statistic Income generated from tourist accommodation in South Africa 2016-2023
• Premium Statistic Monthly income from tourist accommodation in South Africa 2019-2023

Monthly number of foreign overnight visitors in South Africa 2022

Monthly number of foreign overnight arrivals in South Africa from January to December 2022

Number of available hotel rooms in South Africa from 2000 to 2021

Occupancy rate of hotels in South Africa from 2000 to 2021

Occupancy rate of rooms in hotels and similar establishments in South Africa from 2000 to 2021

Income generated from tourist accommodation in South Africa 2016-2023

Total income generated from tourist accommodation in South Africa from 2016 to 2023 (in million South African rand)

Monthly income from tourist accommodation in South Africa 2019-2023

Monthly income generated from tourist accommodation in South Africa from January 2019 to December 2023 (in million South African rand)

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South African Travel Trends To Watch In 2022

• June 1, 2022 June 1, 2022

Last year wasn’t a great one for travellers, or the global tourism industry for that matter. Perhaps that’s why so many are pinning their hopes on 2022.

If you’re planning ahead in your business or simply want in on what’s new, here are the top predicted South African travel trends to watch in 2022:

A back-to-travel boom

With vaccinations, testing, and new treatments to help manage the virus – travel is back on the cards worldwide, and traveller confidence is growing.

“This year we’ve seen the emergence of the ‘catch-up consumer’ or ‘revenge traveller’ – those making up for holiday experiences they’ve missed out on during Covid-19,” says Euan McNeil, Managing Director, Flight Centre Travel Group South Africa.

“Having been grounded for so long, holidays are more important to travellers now than ever before. We’re seeing South Africans increasingly excited for life-changing holidays in far-flung destinations where they can try new activities they’ve never done before.”

It is interesting to note that last minute bookings are still popular, with many travellers still booking to travel in the same month. “In November last year, 44% of bookings were made to travel in the same month. Since December, this number has increased to 70% of bookings made for travel in the same month.”

Travel for friends and family

The pandemic prevented many South Africans from connecting with loved ones based overseas.

For many South African travellers, their desire for transformation travel experiences is primed to encompass ‘life moments’ — celebrations and special occasions put on hold during the height of lockdowns and global travel restrictions. 

From studying abroad to employment opportunities, weddings, birthdays and new additions to the family, many need to travel to experience meaningful life moments they might have missed during the height of the pandemic.

The turnaround for those visiting friends and family took priority over general leisure holidays.

A helping hand

Travel still brings with it many complexities, providing plenty of opportunities for trusted travel advisors to become valuable allies to local travellers by offering guidance and support amidst the still-changing Covid-19 regulations.

Pandemic-era travel requires more emphasis on pre-departure planning than ever before. Add to that unexpected changes and cancellations, reduced airline capacity, and cross-border Covid testing and documentation required makes having a one-stop-shop service with a travel agent in 2022 invaluable.

Going green

It’s no secret that Covid-19 has accelerated the transition towards responsible travel within the global tourism sector. The state of our climate will remain a primary concern for travellers who will desire options that will make them feel better about choosing to travel.

In a report compiled by the World Travel and Tourism Council in November 2021, over 80% of global travellers expressed the importance of sustainable travel is vital, with almost 70% expecting the travel industry to offer more sustainable travel options in the future.

When it comes to sustainable travel in 2022, it cannot be about returning to the old ways. It has to be about making healthier holiday choices to preserve the environment.

Pricing is key

A boost in travel demand doesn’t mean everyone will immediately splurge on bucket-list destinations. We’ve all felt the pinch since the start of the pandemic, however there are a large number of travellers who have been able to save due to limited travel opportunities.

According to a 2021 Google-Ipsos survey, 85% of travellers say affordable prices are the most crucial factor when selecting their flights, accommodation and activities in 2022. While this data helps us understand the general needs of our customers, it’s essential for travel providers not to go ‘cheap’ in 2022, but rather to set prices that reflect true value for their clients.

To make up for holidays missed, a significant portion of local travellers are then willing to spend more on their upcoming trips than what they would have pre-Covid. Being grounded for so long has also led to a higher budget to play with.

According to Allied Market Research, the global luxury travel market is expected to garner $1,154 billion by 2022. This aligns with a Luxury Goods Worldwide Market study suggesting that social-media inspired Millennials and Gen-Z are estimated to hold 40% of the luxury market by 2025.

Back to the beach

For those wanting a break from reality, the beach is where they want to be. 

As part of Flight Centre’s recent online event, Travel Runway, the ‘beach’ category was the most popular in all markets, including South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

“Based on the stats we have, roughly 30% of South African customers opted to keep their money on file for a future booking to Mauritius,” says McNeil. “Now that the destination is open, we’ve seen Mauritius remaining its firm favourite status for South Africans.”

Flight Centre Travel Group South Africa also revealed a selection of flight destinations showing the highest recovery in bookings between July to December 2021.

• Dar Es Salaam

The bottom line…

The truth is tourism will not have a quick and complete recovery over the next 12 months. However, the good news is that the appetite for travel is there. Albeit cautious, local travellers who have remained grounded for so long are now ready to get out and explore the world once again.

“South Africans are very resilient travellers, and we have been encouraged by the positive booking numbers for local and regional travel this year, with international travel enquiries and bookings slowly increasing,” McNeil concludes.

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Minister Patricia De Lille unveils latest tourism statistics for South Africa

Good day, goeie more, sanibonani

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this exhilarating media briefing where we'll unveil the latest tourism statistics for South Africa, showcasing our country's resurgence in the international travel market!

Our data is sourced from reliable authorities such as the Department of Home Affairs, which collects information from all ports of entry on a monthly basis.

Stats SA refines this data in line with international standards and classifications to subset the tourists.

SA Tourism, the entity of the Department of Tourism, carries out a monthly survey involving departing foreigners at OR Tambo & Cape Town International Airports, and from 12 border posts with the most arrivals.

The arrivals data from StatsSA is used to weight the survey data for quantification of trip characteristics such as length of stay, spend, purpose of visit etc.

This enables us to estimate international tourism's contribution & value from a demand-side. In summary, the arrivals data we present is the same with Stats SA data.

The SA Tourism entity, under the Department of Tourism’s departure survey stands as the only official survey in the country capable of measuring these statistics.

This departure survey has undergone the Stats SA process of quality certification, the South African Statistical Quality Assessment Framework (SASQAF).

The pandemic undoubtedly left a dent in the tourism industry, but we're back, stronger than ever, and geared to catapult our inbound tourism numbers beyond pre-COVID levels.

Achieving this monumental goal requires a united front: government, private sector, and all tourism stakeholders joining forces to redefine the travel experience in our beloved country.

As the world reawakens, tourists are flocking back to South Africa, enticed by our unparalleled natural beauty and the warmth of our people.

We are broadcasting a clear message: South Africa is open for tourism, welcoming business, and eagerly awaiting travellers from across Africa and the globe.

2022 heralded a resurgence, with nearly 5.8 million visitors gracing our shores, including 4 million from Africa. This stunning 152.6% increase from 2021 is just the beginning.

We're not quite at the 10 million arrivals of 2019, but rest assured, our tireless collaboration with the private sector and Africa will take us there and beyond in no time.

Latest Statistics: Quarter 1: January to March 2023

Now, for the big reveal: international arrivals to South Africa for Q1 (January to March 2023).

An impressive 2.1 million visitors, a 102.5% increase compared to the same period in 2022. While still 21.5% lower than 2019 levels, we're gaining ground rapidly.

The African continent led the way again with 1.6 million arrivals, followed by Europe's 387 000 and the Americas' 104 000 visitors.

The world is rediscovering South Africa, and together, we'll not only reach, but surpass pre-COVID numbers.

Our determination and unity will light the way to a brighter future for South African tourism.

From a domestic perspective, we have seen an incredible resilience with Q1 2023 performance surpassing pre-pandemic levels and those of Q1 2022.

Foreign Spend and Tourism Impact

In the first quarter of 2023, foreign direct spend soared to an astounding R25.3 billion, marking a 143.9% increase compared to Q1 of 2022.

Tourists from Europe contributed the most spend of R10,8 billion, followed by Africa with a collective spend of R9,3 billion.

The overall foreign spend figure for quarter 1 this year is tantalizingly close to the R25.6 billion spent between January and March 2019 and showcases the industry's unwavering resilience.

We witnessed remarkable growth in spending from our Zimbabwean and Mozambican visitors, with Q1 2023 figures reaching R4.4 billion (50% above 2019 performance) and R1.1 billion (12% above 2019 performance) respectively.

However, spend from UK visitors dipped by 27% to R3.2 billion, while visitors from the USA contributed a robust R2.6 billion, surging 28% above 2019 performance.

A significant driver of these remarkable figures is as a result of lifting of travel restrictions and affordability.

After two years of restrictions and confinement, travellers are eager to explore wide-open spaces, and South Africa offers these in abundance.

Top Source Markets and Travel Trends

In Q1 (January to March 2023, Zimbabwe maintained its reign as South Africa's top source market, a trend consistent since 2019.

Over 500,000 Zimbabwean travellers journeyed to South Africa between January and March 2023, compared to 643 000 in the same period in 2019 and 173 000 in 2022.

Mozambique followed as the second-largest source market, boasting over 354 000 arrivals between January and March 2023.

Next in line were Lesotho and Eswatini, taking the third and fourth spots, respectively.

The United Kingdom claimed the fifth position, with more than 118 000 arrivals in South Africa between January and March 2023, a decrease from 135 000 in 2019.

Germany, USA, Botswana, Namibia, and the Netherlands round out the top 10 source markets for travellers to our country.

Across the board, we've seen a 102% surge in total arrivals from 2022 to 2023 during Q1, reflecting South Africa's attractiveness to international visitors.

The number of bed nights has also recovered in Q1 2023 but not to the Q1 2019 levels.

Total bed nights amounted to 28.4 million in Q1 of 2023, this being a 3% decline over Q1 2019 but a remarkable 124% increase over Q1 2022.

Another promising trend is the 11% increase in the average length of stay in Q1 2023 compared to 2022.

Visitors are spending more time exploring South Africa, with the average stay reaching 13 days in Q1 2023, surpassing the 11-day average in 2019.

These numbers showcase South Africa's undeniable magnetism and the vitality of our tourism industry as we continue to welcome travellers from around the globe with open arms.

Geographical Spread and Travel Destinations

South Africa offers a diverse range of captivating destinations for travellers, with Gauteng taking the lead in international arrivals, spend and bed nights.

International visitors tend to spend most of their nights in the Western Cape, followed by Gauteng. The Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KZN, and the North West also draw tourists to their unique charms.

While smaller provinces currently see fewer visitors, we encourage tourists to explore these hidden gems, as they too boast unparalleled beauty and value.

South Africa's diverse landscape promises a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences for travellers seeking adventure and discovery across our magnificent country.

South Africa vs. Other Long-Haul Destinations and Global Trends

South Africa's tourism industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, outshining other popular destinations like China, France, Italy, and Brazil.

Despite a 44.3% drop in arrivals in 2022 compared to 2019, our nation achieved an outstanding 141.9% increase compared to 2021.

The global landscape has posed challenges, including inflation, rising energy prices, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, leading to economic constraints worldwide.

As a result, we must market ourselves more aggressively and exploit all avenues to expand our reach in major source markets like Africa, Europe, China, the USA, the UK, and India.

South Africa offers travellers unparalleled beauty and affordability, making it an irresistible destination.

Embracing travellers from every region is essential, with a particular focus on Africa. Destination marketing trends emphasize eco-friendly activities and accommodations, as well as inclusivity for the LGBTQI+ community.

Collaboration with local businesses, cultural organizations, and community groups is key to creating accessible and diverse tourism experiences.

Air Access and New Routes

Air capacity has risen since last year, with a 56% increase in Q1 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022. In 2023, we reached 1.8 million seats, and South Africa welcomed around 23 new routes.

New direct flights, such as Cape Town to New York and Washington by United Airlines, Air China's resumed direct flight to South Africa.

The upcoming LATAM flight from Brazil to OR Tambo International Airport, contribute to our nation's appeal. South African Airways' expansion into various African markets further boosts our attractiveness.

In terms of aviation supply, seats from the Americas doubled in Q1 2023, surpassing 2019 levels.

The Middle East has fully recovered in outbound travel, and Europe has introduced 5 new airlines and routes to South Africa.

Domestic Travel

January-March of 2023 saw domestic overnight trips exceed pre-pandemic levels as well as 2022 levels by 41,0%.

Overnight domestic spend was also up 24,4% compared to Q1 2022.

Average overnight spend was down 11,7% signifying that South Africans took more frequent trips and spent less.

The total number of nights spent away from home reached 27,9 million and this was a 32,9% increase over the same period in 2022.

The average length of stay per trip fell by 5,7% highlighting the global trend that travellers now opt to take shorter and more frequent trips than before.

Domestic holiday trips from January to March 2023 were up 40,5% compared to 2022 to reach 2,4 million. These holiday trips represented a 27,0% share of total overnight trips.

The expenditure from holiday trips in Q1 of 2023 was R9,5 billion compared to R7.9billion in 2022.

There was a 12,3% increase in MICE trips (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) taken during January and March 2023.

For the 2022/23 Financial Year, the South African National Conventions Bureau’s Sales team has won 40 of the bids submitted for the 2022/23 financial year.

These secured business pieces will contribute R338m to South Africa’s economy between 2022 -2025 and attract 16 505 international and regional delegates.

In addition, the SA National Convention Bureau invested R19.2m in bid submissions through its bid support programme to attract business events linked with the National Government’s development priorities.

The secured conferences will also contribute to the regional spread of business events.

The secured MIC events include the International Congress of African Phytomedicine Scientific Society, the Southern African Neurological Association Conference and the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) Global Congress.

The various MICE events will be hosted in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Hammanskraal, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Durban, Mokgopong, Muldersdrift and Pietermaritzburg.

Returning to domestic numbers, day trips grew by 26,9% to reach 44,7 million in quarter 1 of 2023.

Domestic travellers travel mostly for visiting friends and relatives, followed by holiday.

The top three provinces visited were Gauteng, Limpopo, and Eastern Cape.

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, our numbers are moving in the right direction.

With focused action on improving visa turnaround times, increasing air access, ensuring safety, and aggressive marketing, we are determined to surpass pre-COVID levels.

Working together with all stakeholders, we aim to boost tourism's contribution to the economy and job creation.

Thank you all for your time and support and coverage of the Africa Travel Indaba.

Enquiries: Zara Nicholson: Media Liaison Officer Cell: 079 416 5996. E-mail: [email protected]

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COVID-19 Impact and Recovery on Tourism in Africa: An Introduction and Background

• First Online: 30 April 2024

Cite this chapter

• Peter Chihwai   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1888-832X 2  

This chapter provides the context in which the book ‘COVID-19 Impact on Tourism Performance in Africa’, is written, including highlights in the rest of the book. The COVID-19 pandemic came amid global trends toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were dealt a major blow as all attention globally shifted toward reducing the devastating effect on all sectors of the economy including global tourism. Global tourism including Africa was heavily impacted by the lack of mobility and sociability which are the key success factors to tourism flourishment. Global lockdowns inhibited tourism in many aspects including reduced hotel occupancy or zero occupancy in some instances, no passenger travel, and no local travel affecting both international and local tourism and resulting in a detrimental effect on the performance of the tourism sector both strategic financial and non-financial objectives, Mission, and Vision. Governments globally and in Africa attempted to employ different means including economic stimulus packages to thwart the devastation like deaths and zero movement while tourism enterprises employed different means to comply with government regulations. African tourism organizations and enterprises employed various strategies to rejuvenate both local and international tourism as lockdown restrictions eased until the present post-COVID-19 situation.

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Chihwai, P. (2024). COVID-19 Impact and Recovery on Tourism in Africa: An Introduction and Background. In: Chihwai, P. (eds) COVID-19 Impact on Tourism Performance in Africa. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-1931-0_1

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