Cape Town and Gauteng are putting South Africa back on the global travel map with surge in international arrivals and foreign spending.
South Africa/Lina Loos/Unsplash
Cape Town: International Visitors
Cape Town is experiencing a strong rebound, with international arrivals rising 6% annually. The city also reported a 5% increase in bed nights sold, reflecting stronger booking trends and higher occupancy rates. According to Travel and Tour World, the Western Cape Government reported that tourism contributed around R24.5 billion to the local economy through 2.4 million overnight visitors in 2024.
Improved air connectivity and collaborative marketing initiatives between Wesgro, Cape Town Tourism, and the private sector have played a key role in this success.
Gauteng: Breaking Tourism Spending Records
As South Africa’s economic hub, Gauteng also surpassed expectations. The province generated R41 billion in foreign direct tourism spend, exceeding its target of R29 billion. This growth is being driven by major international events, new airline routes, and the region’s role as a business and cultural center.
South Africa may well be on its way to reclaiming and surpassing pre-pandemic tourism levels. Across the country, 8.5 million international arrivals were recorded in 2023 a 48.9% annual increase. Total foreign tourism spend across the country hit R95.1 billion during the 2023/2024 year, marking a 27.5% increase.
Provincial officials are committed to improving infrastructure and alternative tourism strategies to handle and maintain the industry through the peak 2025 season and beyond.
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