(Ecofin Agency) - 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.