Foreign arrivals to South Africa reached 1.01 million in August 2026, reflecting a 7.4% year-on-year increase, according to data published by Statistics South Africa on September 30, 2026. This growth followed a 12.5% rise in July 2026, indicating a slower but sustained expansion in visitor numbers.
South Africa’s tourism sector recorded 7.57 million foreign arrivals from January to August 2026, amounting to an 11.5% year-on-year increase. Fitch Solutions projects the country’s tourism industry is on track to achieve a record-breaking performance for the full year 2026.
