South Africa welcomed more than 1.12 million visitors in May 2026, with the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany emerging as the country’s top overseas source markets, according to the latest International Tourism statistics released by Statistics South Africa.
The data showed that the country received 1,123,286 visitors during the month, comprising 861,750 overnight visitors, classified as tourists, and 261,536 same-day visitors. The figures provide a snapshot of the continued recovery and resilience of South Africa’s tourism sector, which remains a key contributor to the country’s economy.
Statistics South Africa reported that a total of 2,920,906 travellers, including arrivals, departures and transit passengers, passed through the country’s ports of entry and exit in May. Of this number, 694,753 were South African residents, while 2,226,153 were foreign travellers.
The report further revealed that foreign arrivals stood at 1,155,059 during the month. These consisted of 31,773 non-visitors and 1,123,286 visitors. The visitor segment was made up of 261,536 same-day visitors and 861,750 overnight tourists.
A regional breakdown of the overnight tourists showed that travellers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) continued to dominate arrivals, accounting for 673,934 tourists.
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Overseas markets contributed 170,837 tourists, while 15,983 visitors came from other African countries. The country of residence of 996 tourists was classified as unspecified.
The strong performance from key overseas markets, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, underscores South Africa’s enduring appeal as a long-haul destination, renowned for its diverse tourism offerings ranging from wildlife and adventure experiences to cultural heritage and scenic landscapes.
Industry stakeholders are expected to view the latest figures as a positive indicator for the country’s tourism recovery efforts and a sign of growing international confidence in South Africa as a preferred travel destination.
Monthly tourism statistics provide valuable insight into visitor movements and source markets, helping the tourism sector monitor travel patterns over time and inform planning, marketing and investment decisions.
