Every journey tells a story, whether it is a family discovering a new corner of South Africa, a visitor arriving from abroad or a traveller spending a weekend away from home. Beyond the experiences and destinations, tourism also has a measurable impact on the country’s economy, supporting jobs and creating opportunities for businesses and communities. South Africa marked Tourism Month in September 2026 under the theme “Growing South Africa’s Tourism Sector in the Digital Era”. Statistics South Africa’s tourism data offer a closer look at travel patterns, popular destinations and the sector’s contribution to the country’s economy.

Domestic tourism remains an important part of South Africa’s tourism industry, with local travel helping to sustain businesses, support jobs and generate economic activity in communities across the country. Encouraging South Africans to discover the country’s diverse cultural, natural and heritage attractions also strengthen the domestic tourism market.

Statistics South Africa’s Domestic Tourism Survey (DTS) 2024 shows that domestic travel increased between 2023 and 2024, with growth recorded in both day trips and overnight trips. South Africans took 33,5 million day trips in 2024, up from 32.2 million in 2023. Overnight travel also increased, from 25,8 million trips in 2023 to 26,2 million trips in 2024. These figures point to a gradual rise in the number of trips South Africans take within the country, whether for a day or for a longer stay.

Number of international visitors in South Africa

Overnight visitor numbers in South Africa varied by season, with January recording the highest number in 2026. A total of 1 133 533 overnight visitors were recorded in January 2026, up 11,8% from 1 013 984 in January 2025. August also showed growth, with visitor numbers rising by 7,4% from 935 738 in August 2025 to 1 005 286 in August 2026. Winter, particularly June, recorded fewer overnight visitors. However, numbers increased by 9,8% between June 2025 and June 2026, from 750 177 to 823 365.

Same-day visitor numbers generally ranged between 200 000 and 300 000 per month during 2025 and 2026. The highest monthly total was recorded in December 2025, with 316 342 visitors, while August had the highest number in 2026, with 265 947.

Contribution of the tourism sector in the economy

Tourism’s contribution to South Africa’s economy increased in 2024, with the sector accounting for 4,9% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), up from 4,4% in 2023.

The sector also supported more jobs, directly employing 953 981 people in 2024. This was an increase of 24,1%, or 185 158 employees, compared with 2023. As a share of total employment, tourism’s contribution rose from 4,7% in 2023 to 5,7% in 2024.

The growth in tourism reflected where South Africans travelled. According to Statistics South Africa’s Domestic Tourism Survey, KwaZulu-Natal was the leading province of destination for the most recent overnight trips in 2024, followed by Limpopo and Western Cape.

Where South Africans spend the night for leisure, 2024

Data from most visited attractions for overnight trips shows that tourism demand is heavily concentrated in a few places, with KwaZulu-Natal dominating.

Durban North Coast (93 500), Drakensberg Mountains (74 100) and Durban South Beach (68 900) are the amongst the top four most visited attractions, and the province claims three of top five attractions overall. Its lowest-ranked entry, South Coast Beach Resorts and Attractions (30 700), still outperforms majority of Mpumalanga attractions.

Western Cape and Mpumalanga lag somewhat behind.

Boulder’s beach and Cape Point had between 59 900 and 59 700 visitors each. Mpumalanga’s Kruger National Park (87 000) leads in its province, with Sabi Sabi Game Reserve (9 700) and Lydenburg attractions (6 900) drawing far fewer.

Nature and leisure drive the choices. Coastal routes, wildlife, and resort-style destinations dominate the list. The Garden Route and Cape Point attract more than ten times the visitors of the weakest attractions listed, such as Kruger’s northern gates (3 000). This suggests room for other provinces to grow by developing and marketing their attractions.

For more information on tourism in South Africa, download these reports on the Statistics South Africa website:

1. International Tourism (Monthly): https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=P0350

2. Domestic Tourism Survey (DTS): https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=P0352.1

3. Tourism Satellite Account for South Africa, final and provisional- https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=Report-04-05-07

4. Tourism, 2025 – https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=Report-03-51-02

5. Tourist accommodation (Monthly) – https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=P6410