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 welcomes Turkish Airlines' expansion to South Africa
8th July 2026 The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, has welcomed the decision by Turkish Airlines to increase its direct services between South Africa and... →
SA: Patricia De Lille: Address by Tourism Minister, during the Latam Flight launch (03/07/2026)
6th July 2026 Today marks an important milestone for the future of connectivity, trade, investment and cooperation between two dynamic regions of the Global... →
Emirates arrives in Cape Town with a third daily service, its newest aircraft
By: Sabrina Jardim 2nd July 2026 International airline Emirates’ third daily service on the Dubai-Cape Town route landed at Cape Town International Airport on July 1, marking the... →
Lesufi betrays Mama Sophie De Bruyn’s legacy as Women’s Living Monument remains closed
1st July 2026 During his 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA), Premier Panyaza Lesufi pledged that Mrs Sophia ‘Sophie’ Williams-De Bruyn, the last surviving... →
Floods inflict record R9bn damage on Cape 
By: Bloomberg 18th June 2026 Recent flooding in South Africa’s Western Cape province, which includes the tourist hub of Cape Town, caused more than R9-billion of damage, a... →
Xenophobia in South Africa: state’s complicity with gangs and vigilantes is threatening its ability to govern
17th June 2026 Marches, Mozambicans murdered, state-sponsored evacuations, a nationally televised presidential address. Anti-immigrant mobilisation has again... →
Minister Aucamp applauds arrest of third suspect in KNP murder case
15th June 2026 The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr Willie Aucamp, has applauded the swift arrest of a third suspect in connection with the... →
Business Confidence Shed Sentiment
11th June 2026 The SACCI’s Business Confidence Index (BCI) continued to decline by 7.7 index points in April 2026 but recovered in May 2026 by 0.5 index points to... →
GDP increased by 0.5% in the first quarter – Stats SA
By: Creamer Media Reporter 9th June 2026 South Africa’s GDP increased by 0.5% in the first quarter, following an increase of 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, Statistics South Africa... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, opening remarks at the Kenya State Visit, Pretoria (04/06/2026)
4th June 2026 Ours is a relationship rooted in shared values, mutual respect and a common vision for democracy, peace and prosperity across Africa. This visit... →
