South Africa’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Statistics South Africa recorded 823,365 overnight international tourists in June 2026, up 9.8% from a year earlier, while broader border statistics show foreign traveler volumes also remained higher than 2025 levels despite global economic pressures. Business Day noted that anti-migrant protests have not kept tourists away, with international arrivals continuing to grow and tourism benefiting from improved connectivity, visa reforms and sustained destination appeal.
Yet behind the encouraging numbers lies a more nuanced African story.
Growth has been driven overwhelmingly by neighboring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Mozambique led with 216,355 arrivals, followed by Zimbabwe (182,567), Lesotho (130,980) and Eswatini (61,960). These neighboring markets continue to underpin South Africa’s regional tourism economy.
However, South Africa recorded significant declines from two of West Africa’s largest tourism markets. Nigeria’s arrivals fell 30.3% year-on-yearto 1,459 visitors in June, while Ghana declined 17.8%to 2,609 visitors. Overall, West African arrivals dropped 23.8% during the month.
Although first-half 2026 arrivals from both Nigeria and Ghana remain higher than the same period last year—suggesting June may represent short-term volatility—the monthly decline has revived questions about whether perceptions of South Africa are influencing travel decisions.
Those concerns cannot be viewed in isolation from South Africa’s recurring anti-foreigner protests and periodic xenophobic violence. While these incidents are generally directed at undocumented migrants or foreign-owned businesses rather than tourists, the images often travel faster than official assurances. For many African travelers, particularly from West Africa, the distinction can become blurred, creating a perception that fellow Africans may not always feel welcome.
The issue has repeatedly drawn the attention of continental tourism leaders. African Tourism Board Executive Chairman Cuthbert Ncube, together with the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, has publicly appealed for stronger protection of African nationals and visitors while urging South Africans to embrace fellow Africans as partners in tourism, trade and development. Ncube has consistently warned that xenophobia damages not only South Africa’s international image but also Africa’s broader ambitions for regional integration and free movement.
Ironically, the latest tourism figures also demonstrate South Africa’s enduring strengths. According to Business Day, tensions over anti-immigrant sentiment have not significantly deterred overall international tourism, with strong performances from SADC markets and continued growth from Europe, Australasia and Latin America offsetting softer demand from some regions. Analysts also point to improved air connectivity, targeted safety initiatives and visa reforms as helping sustain visitor confidence.
Across the continent, a different model is increasingly emerging. Countries such as Rwanda, Benin, The Gambiaand Seychellesoffer visa-free access to almost all African passport holders. Ghanahas expanded visa-free entry for fellow Africans, while Kenyahas simplified access through its electronic travel authorization system. Botswana, Mauritius and Namibia also maintain relatively welcoming entry policies for many African travelers, reinforcing the African Union’s vision of easier continental mobility.
At the same time, several African countries—including South Africa in some respects—still present challenges through restrictive visa systems, inconsistent immigration procedures, limited direct air links and high travel costs. These obstacles continue to slow the growth of intra-African tourism despite the ambitions of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
South Africa remains one of Africa’s premier tourism destinations, with world-renowned wildlife, coastlines, wine regions and cities continuing to attract millions of visitors each year. The latest figures confirm that the country’s tourism appeal remains resilient even amid political and social challenges. But rebuilding confidence among travelers from across the continent may require more than marketing campaigns.
As Ncube and other African tourism leaders have argued, Africa’s tourism future depends not only on easier borders and better connectivity, but also on ensuring that every African traveler feels genuinely welcomed, respected and safe wherever they choose to visit.
Leave a Comment