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
The Presidency on launch of Phase 3 of Government Business Partnership for Growth and Jobs
21st August 2026 Phase 3 is focused on urgently addressing the societal crisis of low growth and unemployment. It adds additional sectors to the partnership... →
Minerals Council hails launch of partnership to unlock growth, jobs, confidence 
By: Martin Creamer 21st August 2026 Minerals Council South Africa has responded exceedingly positively to the launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the third phase of South Africa’s... →
Hill-Lewis demands strict timelines for new phase of government-business economic alliance
By: Thabi Shomolekae 21st August 2026 DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to drive South Africa's economic growth beyond 3% through the... →
Government and business pin hopes of 3% growth on mining, farming, tourism and infrastructure
By: Terence Creamer 20th August 2026 The four sectors of mining, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure have been selected under Phase 3 of the Government-Business Partnership as the... →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa's President, at the launch Phase 3 of the Government-Business Partnership, summer place, Hyde Park, Johannesburg (20/08/2026)
20th August 2026 This partnership was born at a moment of crisis. Since then, it has become an instrument of inclusive growth and economic transformation. This... →
Sacci BCI stabilised in July as vehicle sales, exports lifted market sentiment
By: Lumkile Nkomfe 18th August 2026 Industry body the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) highlights that its Business Confidence Index is stabilising after... →
Comment on draft strategy to guide management and conservation of significant heritage resources in Cape Town
17th August 2026 The revised Heritage Resources Management Strategy applies to the management of heritage resources that fall within the City’s regulatory mandate,... →
New SA Tourism Board must end CEO Guliwe’s vacation
14th August 2026 The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the new South African Tourism Board to urgently bring the long-running matter involving suspended CEO Ms... →
SA: Patricia de Lille: Address by Tourism Minister, on the Launch of Tourism Month 2026, Durban (13/08/2026)
14th August 2026 So, it was only fitting that we come to officially launch Tourism Month (September) here in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Southern Africa is not... →
DHA launches Electronic Travel Authorisation platform to boost tourism, curb corruption
By: Schalk Burger 13th August 2026 The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has launched South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform, which was designed to modernise... →
