Edited by St Francis Chronicle: From January to September 2025, South Africa welcomed 7 634 261 international tourists to the country.
This is a big increase from the same amount of visitors last year, for January-September 2024, when the country received 1.1-million less visitors.
“This is an impressive increase,” according to SA Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, who says these figures confirm tourism has not only recovered but is once again driving economic growth and development. “The industry is creating jobs, stimulating investment, and revitalising local economies,” she said.
Building on the positive trend reported during just the two months August and September 2025, a recorded 846 367 visitors – an increase of 26.9% compared to September 2024. “This is a clear sign of growing global confidence in South Africa as a destination of choice.”
She also said the results show the collaborative efforts between government and the private sector to implement the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, which includes coordinated destination marketing.
“South Africa is ready to welcome the world this festive season with open arms, warm smiles, and world-class experiences,” de Lille says. “I want to call on all South Africans to continue showing the Spirit of Ubuntu and hospitality that defines our nation.
“Whether you’re in a village, a small dorpie, the city, or at the coast, let’s make every visitor feel at home. Tourism is everyone’s business and together, we can make this the most joyful and successful festive season yet.”
For the whole of 2024, South Africa welcomed 8.9 million tourists, and their direct spending contribution was R91.6 billion, supporting an estimated 1.6 million jobs, the Minister was reported as saying earlier this year. And tourism visitor numbers are set to increase during this ‘end-of-year festive season’.
Edited, news source: gov.za
St Francis Chronicle 