South Africa's tourism sector is a significant driver of economic growth and job creation, with Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille announcing that it sustained 954,000 direct jobs in the economy in 2024. This impressive figure means that tourism now supports one in every 18 jobs across the country, with one job created for every 13 international tourists visiting South Africa. The sector has demonstrated robust growth in international arrivals, welcoming a record 10.5 million international visitors in 2025. This positive trend continued into the first quarter of 2026, during which more than 2.9 million inbound travelers were recorded, marking a substantial 12.6% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.

Minister de Lille, during her department's Budget Vote in Cape Town, emphasized the critical role of domestic tourism as the bedrock of the sector. Domestic spend reached R111.6 billion, surpassing international spend which stood at R102.2 billion. This highlights the strong internal market supporting the industry.

To further bolster growth and ensure sustainable development, government and industry stakeholders have jointly adopted the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan. This initiative is described as a working compact between the public and private sectors, featuring measurable targets, shared accountability, and clear implementation plans, designed to be actively utilized rather than shelved. This collaborative approach aims to align with the ambitious goals set out in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030.

The NDP 2030 targets for the tourism sector include increasing domestic tourism spend to R139.4 billion, boosting international tourist spend to R115.2 billion, growing international tourist arrivals to 15 million, and increasing annual domestic trips to 45.1 million. Furthermore, the plan aims to increase direct employment to 1 million jobs and expand indirect and induced employment to 1.5 million. These targets underscore a comprehensive strategy for expansion across various facets of the tourism ecosystem.

To facilitate easier access for international visitors, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has been successfully implemented and is currently live for travelers from China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. This innovative system allows travelers from these key source markets to receive digital visa outcomes within 24 hours, directly from their homes or cellphones. The Minister projects that once fully rolled out, the ETA system could significantly boost arrivals, potentially creating an additional 80,000 to 100,000 jobs. Complementing these visa reforms, new air routes have been launched, including services between Johannesburg and Perth, and Cape Town and Mauritius, with a new Air Europa route connecting Madrid and Johannesburg expected soon. The Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, continues to work through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Visas to further expand visa reforms and enhance air access, recognizing that ease of travel is paramount for attracting tourists.

Investment in tourism infrastructure is also a key focus. The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, a R120 million project developed with the European Union, has already drawn over 90,000 visitors since its launch last year, capitalizing on the discovery of the world's oldest dinosaur embryo at the site. To streamline investment processes, a Tourism Infrastructure Facilitation Unit has been established to remove barriers for investors. The success of the inaugural Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit in Cape Town, which unveiled eight projects worth R1 billion with three already securing funding, has paved the way for the second summit, scheduled to be hosted in Gauteng in October 2026.

South Africa is also establishing itself as a premier destination for business events. The South African National Convention Bureau has successfully secured 66 international and regional conferences. These events are projected to contribute over R1.2 billion to the economy between 2025 and 2030 and are scheduled to take place across a wide geographic spread including Bela-Bela, Cape Town, Durban, Grabouw, Hermanus, Johannesburg, Makhanda, Mbombela, Polokwane, Skukuza, Sun City, and Tshwane, showcasing the nation's capacity to host diverse gatherings. For the 2026/27 fiscal year, the Department of Tourism has been allocated R2.54 billion, with R1.278 billion specifically earmarked for South African Tourism to support destination marketing and broader sector growth initiatives.