Visitors from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) remain the backbone of South Africa’s tourism industry, accounting for 78.2% of all international tourist arrivals in May 2026, according to the latest tourism data released by Statistics South Africa.
The figures, highlighted in eNCA’s Number of the Day, underscore the growing importance of regional travel in sustaining South Africa’s visitor economy, with neighbouring countries contributing the overwhelming majority of international arrivals. Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho emerged as the leading source markets within the SADC region.
The data challenges the long-held perception that long-haul visitors from Europe, North America and other overseas markets are the primary drivers of tourism revenue. Instead, it highlights that regional African travellers have become the foundation of South Africa’s tourism sector. According to the report, SADC visitors contribute significantly to the economy through a wide range of spending activities beyond traditional leisure tourism. They purchase groceries, clothing, household goods and medicines, access healthcare services, use transport networks, stay in hotels and guesthouses, visit family and friends, and engage in cross-border trade. Many also make repeat visits, further strengthening economic ties within the region.
While some travellers arrive by air, a substantial number enter South Africa through land border posts, reflecting the country’s deep economic and social integration with its neighbours. The report notes that this makes investments in border infrastructure, road transport and regional connectivity just as important as expanding airport capacity. Industry observers say the latest figures reinforce the need for African tourism strategies to place greater emphasis on intra-African travel, which has proven to be more resilient during periods of global economic uncertainty and international travel disruptions.
The report also warns that anti-immigrant sentiment and barriers to cross-border mobility could pose significant risks to South Africa’s tourism economy, given the substantial contribution made by regional visitors. Any policies or social tensions that discourage travel from neighbouring countries could have direct economic consequences for businesses that depend on tourism-related spending. For policymakers, the findings serve as a reminder that tourism growth is not driven solely by attracting visitors from distant markets but also by strengthening regional cooperation, improving transport links and facilitating seamless travel within Africa.
As African countries continue to pursue the goals of the African Union’s free movement agenda and the African Continental Free Trade Area, regional tourism is expected to play an increasingly important role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and fostering deeper integration across the continent.
