By Phenyo Selinda.
Photo Credit: iStock.
South Africa’s Tourism Department reports that 5.58 million international tourists visited the country in the first six months of 2026, marking a 12.3% increase from the same period last year as stronger regional and overseas demand continued to support the country’s tourism recovery.
The department said 5 584 473 international visitors travelled to South Africa between January and June, with arrivals from the African continent increasing by 14.3%, while overseas markets grew by 5.6%.
This reflects sustained momentum in a sector that remains an important contributor to economic activity through spending, aviation, accommodation, and hospitality.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says the latest figures reflect the impact of efforts to broaden South Africa’s tourism offering.
“The deliberate decision to diversify our tourism products is yielding positive results,” she says.
However, the industry body, the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa), says continued growth in visitor numbers remains critical for the sector’s long-term sustainability.
According to Statistics South Africa, the Department of Tourism recorded a strong recovery in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time since global travel disruptions.
International arrivals went up by 9.8% from 2024 as South Africa recorded 823 365 and 12.1% throughout the continent year on year. The US remained the country’s largest overseas source market for a second consecutive month with 40 566 visitors.
Minister de Lille says the continued increase in regional and overseas arrivals demonstrates “the resilience of our tourism sector and the effectiveness of the partnerships we have built with industry and our international markets”.
She adds that the government will continue strengthening joint marketing initiatives across Africa while expanding its presence in key overseas markets.
“The latest figures reinforce government’s commitment to improving ease of access for travellers, expanding air connectivity, and positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for both leisure and business travel.”