Tourism
Tourism is the industry encompassing the activities of people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for leisure, business or other purposes. The sector includes accommodation providers, transport operators, tour companies, attractions, restaurants and related services that cater to domestic and international visitors. Tourism plays a significant role in many African economies, generating foreign exchange, creating employment and supporting infrastructure development. Key segments include wildlife and safari tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, beach and coastal tourism, business and conference travel, and adventure tourism. The industry is sensitive to political stability, safety perceptions, exchange rates, visa regimes and the quality of transport and hospitality infrastructure. In South Africa, tourism contributes substantially to gross domestic product and employment, with major draws including national parks such as Kruger, coastal destinations, wine regions and cultural sites. The sector is typically overseen by national tourism boards and ministries responsible for marketing, policy and regulation. Tourism faces challenges including seasonality, environmental sustainability, community benefit-sharing and the need for skills development. The industry has shown vulnerability to external shocks such as health crises, security incidents and economic downturns, but remains a priority sector for growth and development across the continent.
Tourism Updates
Minister Patricia de Lille hosts Minister of Hajj and Umrah, H.E. Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah
10th September 2026 Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille hosted Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, H.E. Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, during his official... →
Daily Podcast – September 08, 2026
8th September 2026 September 08, 2026. For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is Polity’s daily podcast. →
Manufacturing, mining weigh on second-quarter economic growth; GDP contracts by 0.2% q/q 
By: Creamer Media Reporter 8th September 2026 South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter for the second quarter, following growth of 0.4% in the first... →
GOOD: Patricia de Lille: Address by GOOD Party leader, during the announcement of Western Cape mayoral candidates (06/09/2026)
7th September 2026 People who know our streets, our schools, our clinics, because they use them too. That's the standard GOOD and RISE Mzansi are setting together as... →
Operation Vulindlela: Opening the road
By: Econ3x3 4th September 2026 Operation Vulindlela is a joint delivery unit of the Presidency and the National Treasury, established in 2020 to implement a limited set of... →
New ‘Construction Book’ features 110 projects for procurement in next 12 to 18 months
By: Terence Creamer 25th August 2026 The third edition of South Africa’s ‘Construction Book’, which lists 110 infrastructure projects that are expected to enter procurement over the... →
Tracks in the Dust: A Game Ranger's Journey
25th August 2026 From the kitchen of his family’s Italian restaurant in Johannesburg to the front lines of Africa’s most dangerous anti-poaching operations, this is... →
Pricing locals out of housing market reflects bad political choices, not Cape Town's success
24th August 2026 Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis say the province’s 680 000 housing backlog, and increasing... →
Infrastructure South Africa promises quarterly updates ahead of release of third edition of ‘Construction Book’
By: Terence Creamer 24th August 2026 Infrastructure South Africa has indicated that it plans to offer quarterly status reports on the projects that are included in its so-called... →
Business, govt unanimous on economic growth plan, jobs target
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 24th August 2026 The Presidency and business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) have united behind the plan, announced last week, to lift economic... →
