Public Management

S. A Sees 9.7% Increase in Tourist Arrivals from January to May 2024

S. A Sees 9.7% Increase in Tourist Arrivals from January to May 2024
Thursday, 18 July 2024 16:23

South Africa's tourism industry is on the rise following a significant downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) projects that the sector will continue to grow at an average rate of 7.6% annually through 2032.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille announced on July 16, 2024, that foreign tourist arrivals in South Africa reached 3.8 million during the first five months of 2024, marking a 9.7% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

“This increase has led to a 27.5% rise in direct spending by foreign visitors, expected to reach 95.1 billion rand ($5.3 billion) for the 2023/2024 fiscal year,” de Lille stated during the ministry’s budget review in the Assembly.

The minister also noted a significant uptick in visitors from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. Notably, several African source markets, including Ghana and Kenya, saw strong improvements following the implementation of a visa exemption program for their nationals.

In 2023, foreign tourist arrivals in South Africa grew by 48.9% compared to 2022, reaching 8.48 million. The WTTC forecasts that South Africa's travel and tourism industry will grow at an average rate of 7.6% per year through 2032, contributing 7.4% to the country’s GDP and generating over 800,000 jobs.

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
On the same topic
• Casablanca-listed firms post $18B revenue, up 7% in H1 2025• Banking, construction, and healthcare sectors drive growth• IMF forecasts...
Niger’s economy grew 10.3% in 2024 and is projected to expand 6.6% in 2025. Yet non-performing loans hit 27.4%, far above the WAEMU average,...
Sanlam-TymeBank JV awaits final approval, eyed as possible gateway to Africa’s vast credit market opportunities. Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya could be...
• WAEMU states plan to raise CFA1,300 bln ($2.3 bln) from Sept–Nov 2025• Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal lead issuers with CFA240 bln and CFA190 bln programs•...
Most Read
01

Over the past two decades, mobile money has grown into a cornerstone of African finance. Driven by i...

Africa’s Mobile Money Boom: A New Frontier for Global Payment Giants
02

• ECOWAS plans a rapid deployment brigade of 260,000 troops costing $2.5bn annually.• The force...

ECOWAS needs $2.5bn annual budget for anti-terrorism brigade
03

It’s a common scene in any Lomé (Togo) market, but it’s telling. A customer hands a 10,000 CFA franc...

The Change Shortage: A Crisis Hidden by the CFA Franc’s Stability
04

On August 31, 2025, the ruling coalition in Benin Republic—comprising the Union Progressiste pour le...

Romuald Wadagni: From High-Profile Minister of Finance to Presidential Candidate for 2026
05

Nigeria eyes $671m data center market by 2030, seeks Chinese investors. Rising mobile da...

Nigeria Courts Chinese Investors for $671 Million Data Center Market
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.