Tourism minister highlights 6.79 million visitors in South Africa this year
Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille welcomed the continued upward trend in South Africa’s international tourist arrivals.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
The month of August has recorded a 30.2% year-on-year increase in South Africa’s international tourist arrivals, reaching 935, 738 visitors.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille welcomed the continued upward trend in South Africa’s international tourist arrivals, with August 2025 recording a 30.2% year-on-year increase, reaching 935,738 visitors.
Cumulatively, 6.79 million tourists visited the country between January and August this year, a 15.8% rise compared to the same period last year.
Regional Highlights include the following: Europe saw arrivals grow by 20.8%, led by the UK with +28.9% and Germany +33.6%, Central and South America surged by 63.6%, with Brazil at +77.2% and Argentina +85.5%, showing exceptional performance.
This was followed by Australasia which rose by 38.0%, while Asia grew by 21.1%, driven by Indonesia with +100.7% and Malaysia +67.8% despite softer numbers from China and India.
The Middle East arrivals climbed to 82.2%, led by Saudi Arabia with +129.3% and the UAE +98.3%.
Africa land arrivals rose by 31.8%, supported by Lesotho with +110.2% and Mozambique showcasing +36.8%, while Africa air arrivals increased to 26.3%, driven by Nigeria with +46.6%) and the DRC to +75.9%.
Minister De Lille said in response to the numbers: “These numbers tell a story of confidence and recovery. South Africa’s tourism economy is firmly on an upward trajectory, driven by our visa reforms, strong destination marketing, and the resilience of our industry."
De Lille added that tourism was an economic engine that supported nearly two million jobs.
. The month of August has recorded a 30.2% year-on-year increase in South Africa’s international tourist arrivals, reaching 935, 738 visitors.
Image: file
“The increase in international arrivals come as the country prepares to roll out the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The G20 Leader’s Summit delegates from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico will be the first to use the system. Upon its full implementation, ETA will create between 800 000 to 1 million jobs in the tourism sector," she said.
“This week, I’m off to Türkiye with Deputy President Paul Mashatile and cabinet colleagues for the inaugural South Africa-Türkiye Binational Commission.
“This working visit presents another opportunity to learn from the world’s fourth most visited country, as South Africa works towards 15 million visitors by 2030."
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