South Africa’s tourism sector reached a historic milestone in 2025, welcoming a record 10.5 million international visitors despite travel warnings issued by Canada, the U.S., China and Australia, surpassing pre-pandemic figures and signalling renewed global confidence in the country as a premier travel destination.
- South Africa’s tourism sector achieved a record milestone in 2025, receiving 10.5 million international visitors, surpassing pre-pandemic figures.
- Zimbabwe emerged as a leading contributor to visitor statistics, showing the influence of regional travel.
- The increase in tourism contributes significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for nearly 9% of GDP and supporting 1.8 million jobs.
- Despite global travel advisories citing safety concerns in South Africa, certain markets like Russia experienced significant growth in tourist arrivals.
The figures were confirmed by Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, who described the achievement as a defining moment for the sector’s recovery.
According to the Minister, the December performance alone underscored the scale of the rebound.
“In December 2025, South Africa welcomed 10.5 million visitors to our country, an increase of 17.6% against the 2024 figures. This is the highest number of arrivals on record and exceeds the previous highest number recorded in 2018. We have now, for the first time, exceeded the 2019 arrivals by 2.6%,” Minister de Lille said.
Beyond headline growth, the economic implications are significant. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised tourism’s broader national contribution.
“Every visitor to our country contributes to our foreign revenue earnings, supports local businesses, bolsters local economies, and helps to create and sustain jobs. Tourism currently sustains 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs and contributes nearly 9% to our GDP,” he said.
Zimbabwe Leads the Charge
While long-haul markets remain important, regional travel continued to dominate visitor inflows.
Zimbabwe emerged as a leading contributor, surpassing traditional source markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan and Botswana, according to StatsSA.
Cross-border travel remains central to this trend, with Zimbabwean visitors frequently travelling to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town for leisure, business and medical tourism.
In December 2025 alone, Zimbabwe recorded 209,927 visitors; the highest number from any African country.
European Arrivals Provide Consistent Momentum
At the same time, Europe remained a key driver of long-haul expansion. Arrivals from the region rose 12.6% in 2025, led by the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium and Italy.
British tourists, drawn by safari experiences, wildlife attractions and cultural events, continued to represent a strong source market.
Germany followed closely behind, recording 33,917 arrivals in December, overtaking the United States in monthly arrivals for that period.
U.S. And Canada Arrivals Moderate Amid Travel Advisories
Not all major source markets recorded growth in 2025.
Visitor arrivals from the United States and Canada moderated during the year, reflecting a more cautious travel environment among long-haul travellers.
American visitors accounted for roughly 16% of long-haul arrivals, yet December recorded 36,361 U.S. travellers, down from 39,100 in the previous year. Canadian travel showed a similarly restrained pattern.
The slowdown has been partly attributed to updated travel advisories issued by both governments, warning citizens about risks such as theft and violent crime in certain South African cities.
On May 27, the United States published a Level 2 advisory , urging travellers to exercise increased caution when visiting the country.
In December, Business Insider Africa reported that Canada updated its travel advice for South Africa, citing a “significant level of serious crime.”
“Violent crimes occur frequently throughout the country and have involved foreigners,” Canada warned, adding that such incidents may include armed robberies, burglaries, home invasions, carjackings, murder, and assaults, including sexual assaults.
China And Australia Issue Cautions As Russia Defies Trend
Beyond North America, other major outbound markets adopted a similarly cautious stance. During the summer, the Chinese embassy in South Africa issued a safety notice, citing the risk of “kidnapping and other serious crimes” and advising citizens to heighten security awareness.
Australia also updated its travel advisory on November 28, encouraging travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa.”
Geopolitical dynamics may have further shaped traveller sentiment.
Since President Donald Trump’s return to office in January 2025, periodic tensions between Washington and Pretoria have contributed to a more uncertain travel climate.
While visitor flows remain substantial, the combined effect of these advisories appears to have softened demand from some traditional long-haul markets.
Russian Arrivals Surge
In contrast, Russian tourist arrivals recorded the fastest growth among overseas markets.
According to StatsSA, arrivals in December 2025 rose 34.4% to 5,162, reflecting strengthened diplomatic and economic ties between South Africa and Russia.
Regional African Markets Continue To Dominate
Despite fluctuations in long-haul markets, Africa remains South Africa’s strongest tourism foundation.
Of the 2,773,954 foreign travellers passing through South African ports in December 2025, 738,362 (97.4%) originated from SADC countries.
Mozambique contributed 181,250 visitors, followed by Lesotho with 115,831, Eswatini with 97,914, and Botswana with 54,704.
Beyond the SADC region, Kenya recorded 6,581 visitors, Ghana 4,352, and Nigeria 2,474.
Strategic Outlook
The surge in 2025 reflects South Africa’s recovery efforts and a growing focus on luxury and eco-tourism experiences.
Following the successful hosting of the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, the World Economic Forum plans a Special Davos Meeting in the country in 2026, reinforcing confidence in South Africa’s tourism capabilities.
Minister de Lille said, “Tourism is working. Tourism is delivering. And tourism will remain a cornerstone of inclusive growth, investment, and job creation in South Africa.”
