South Africa’s tourism sector maintained its strong growth trajectory during the first half of 2026, recording increases in both regional and overseas arrivals.
Between January and June 2026, the country welcomed 5,584,473 international tourists. This represents a 12.3% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
Growth from the African continent remained particularly strong, with arrivals increasing by 14.3%. Overseas tourist arrivals rose by 5.6%, demonstrating South Africa’s continued appeal across a broad range of international markets.
June Arrivals Continue Upward Trend
South Africa received 823,365 international tourists during June 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 9.8%.
Arrivals from elsewhere in Africa increased by 12.1% compared with June 2025, further highlighting the importance of regional tourism to the country’s broader visitor economy.
The United States was South Africa’s largest overseas source market for the second consecutive month. A total of 40,566 American tourists visited the country during June.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille attributed the sustained growth to South Africa’s efforts to diversify its tourism offering and strengthen cooperation with both industry partners and international markets.
She said the growth in regional and overseas arrivals demonstrated the resilience of the tourism sector and the value of joint marketing initiatives. The department intends to deepen its partnerships across Africa while expanding South Africa’s presence in strategic overseas markets.
The positive results also support the government’s continued focus on improving access to South Africa, expanding international air connectivity and positioning the country as a leading destination for leisure and business travel.
With arrivals continuing to rise across key markets, South Africa’s tourism industry remains an important contributor to economic activity, employment and international investment.