Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa has reached a major tourism milestone, with the country recording its highest number of international arrivals, signalling strong global confidence in the nation as a premier travel destination.
Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said approximately 10.5 million tourists visited South Africa between January and December 2025, marking a record high for the sector.
“Our country’s reputation as a premier global tourism destination has been buoyed by a major milestone,” Ramaphosa said. “Between January and December 2025 approximately 10.5 million tourists visited South Africa, which is the highest number of international arrivals on record.”
He said the figures surpass pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and demonstrate the sector’s resilience and growth potential.
“This surpasses the number of visitors we welcomed before the COVID-19 pandemic and is a vote of confidence in a sector that continues to show great potential for further growth,” he said.
Ramaphosa highlighted tourism’s crucial role in job creation and economic development, noting that the industry currently supports approximately 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs.
“Every visitor to our country contributes to our foreign revenue earnings, supports local businesses, bolsters local economies and helps to create and sustain jobs,” he said, adding that one job is created for every 13 international arrivals.
He further stated that tourism contributes nearly 9% to South Africa’s gross domestic product, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
The president also emphasised tourism’s role in strengthening South Africa’s global standing and diplomatic relations.
Dear Fellow South African,
Our country’s reputation as a premier global tourism destination has been buoyed by a major milestone.
Between January and December 2025 approximately 10.5 million tourists visited South Africa, which is the highest number of international arrivals… pic.twitter.com/1ShjvCifiw
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 2, 2026
“The more tourists that arrive from a given a country, the greater the likelihood of strengthening diplomatic relations with that country,” Ramaphosa said. “An increase in international visitors is also a vote of confidence in South Africa’s brand appeal, and in our reputation as a safe, reliable, value for money tourism destination.”
Ramaphosa said government remains committed to strengthening the regulatory and policy environment to support the sector’s continued growth and deepen collaboration with the private sector, labour and other stakeholders.
He pointed to the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, endorsed by Cabinet last year, which outlines priority initiatives aimed at improving the sector’s performance. These include the expansion of the Electronic Travel Authorisation system, piloted during last year’s G20 Summit and now being rolled out in key tourism markets.
Government is also strengthening the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme to streamline visa processes for group travellers, particularly from key markets such as India and China.
Ramaphosa said improving international connectivity remains a priority, noting an increase in direct flight routes to South Africa from countries including Australia and France.
Addressing safety concerns, he said additional tourism monitors and the establishment of a private sector crime call centre will help reduce crime targeting tourists.
He also highlighted growing investment in tourism infrastructure, noting that eight projects worth R1 billion were launched during last year’s inaugural Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit.
Ramaphosa said government is also focusing on developing niche tourism markets, including halal and green tourism, while investing in skills development programmes such as fully funded Mandarin language training for tourism guides to better support visitors from China.
Calling for a collective effort to sustain growth in the sector, Ramaphosa urged citizens and communities to support tourism development.
“Retaining our reputation as a tourism destination of choice is a society-wide effort, one in which communities have a particularly important role to play,” he said. “Every South African should be a tourism ambassador and every community a potential tourist attraction.”
Ramaphosa said collaboration between government, industry, communities and civil society will help unlock further opportunities and maximise tourism’s contribution to the economy.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
