South Africa Records 12.3% Rise in International Tourist Arrivals in H1 2026
South Africa welcomed 5,584,473 international tourists in the first half of 2026, a 12.3% increase on the same period last year, according to the Department of Tourism. Growth was led by a 14.3% rise in arrivals from the African continent, while overseas arrivals grew by 5.6%. June alone recorded 823,365 international visitors - a 9.8% year-on-year increase - with African arrivals up 12.1% compared to June 2025.
The United States remained South Africa's top overseas source market for the second consecutive month in June, contributing 40,566 visitors. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille attributed the results to a deliberate strategy of diversifying the country's tourism offering and deepening partnerships with industry and international markets. The government says it will continue to expand joint marketing initiatives across Africa and strengthen its presence in key overseas markets, with a focus on improving air connectivity and ease of access for travellers.
