tourismlatest news & developments
Johannesburg is shifting its tourism strategy and aiming to transform the city from a brief transit stop into a multi-day destination by connecting visitors with easily bookable cultural and urban experiences.

How Joburg is turning transit stops into multi-day stays

Joburg Tourism and SATSA partner to turn 5 million annual transit visitors into multi-day stayers with bookable city tours.

King Shaka International Airport is at the center of KwaZulu-Natal’s push for expanded international air access, preparing to welcome a new daily Ethiopian Airlines service to Addis Ababa in December alongside ongoing talks for a direct route to Paris.

KZN targets Air France as Ethiopian Airlines expands to Durban

Paris to Durban? Inside KZN’s push to secure direct international flights and grow King Shaka Airport.

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC Musa Zondi has called for greater investment in Appelsbosch’s heritage and rural tourism potential, while stressing that a proposed cable car remains subject to feasibility and regulatory approvals.

MEC backs rural tourism drive at Appelsbosch Hospital centenary

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development MEC Musa Zondi has called for greater investment in Appelsbosch’s heritage and rural tourism potential, while stressing that a proposed cable…

The newly opened Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari Resort at Tinley Manor, a major investment in KwaZulu-Natal's tourism sector.
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R2 billion mega resort: Can Club Med spark KZN’s tourism revival?

Global brand meets local impact with a closer look at how Club Med’s Tinley Manor launch aims to drive sustainable economic growth for South African hospitality.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)  says passenger traffic across its network has recovered to about 98% of pre-pandemic levels

More seats, new carriers: Inside SA’s international flight surge

A international air traffic hit 98% of pre-pandemic levels, with Cape Town surging 36.5% past 2019 figures.

South Africa is looking to restore direct flights with India to improve air connectivity and reverse declining tourist arrivals

Direct flights to India: The missing piece in SA tourism’s recovery

Reconnecting South Africa and India with direct flights could halt a 30% tourist slump and open major economic doors.

Climate change is reshaping South Africa’s tourism sector. Responsible use of artificial intelligence could help destinations manage risk, improve efficiency and build more inclusive, resilient economies.

Artificial intelligence and climate action can build a more resilient tourism sector

Climate change is reshaping South Africa’s tourism sector. Responsible use of artificial intelligence could help destinations manage risk, improve efficiency and build more…

Dr Nik Eberl is the founder and executive chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event). He is also the author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding.

Stop trying to rescue yesterday’s economy: start building tomorrow’s

South Africa’s economy contracted by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2026. The challenge, argues Dr Nik Eberl, is not only to repair existing industries but to scale new sectors…

South Africans are increasingly choosing shorter, more frequent and experience led getaways, creating new opportunities for hospitality SMEs to grow beyond traditional holiday seasons.

Changing travel habits create new opportunities for South African hospitality SMEs

Shorter, more frequent and experience-led trips could help South African hospitality and tourism SMEs attract customers beyond traditional peak holiday periods.

Southern Sun's Mount Grace Hotel & Spa in Magaliesburg

Southern Sun reports stronger trading as All Blacks tour lifts revenue

Southern Sun says South African revenue rose 10% in the five months to 31 August 2026, helped by Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, while first-half EPS, HEPS and AHEPS are expected to…

Sun International's CEO since July 1, 2025, Ulrik Bengtsson.

Sun City and domestic demand support Sun International results

Sun International reported a 7.4% increase in first-half group income to R6.6 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 2% to R1.6 billion, supported by domestic demand and stronger…

Intimate yacht and luxury cruise experiences are gaining momentum among South African travellers who are increasingly seeking space, freedom, and meaningful journeys closer to home.

Local waters, world-class luxury: SA’s cruise boom

Port launches in Cape Town and Durban mean local travellers can skip exhausting long-haul flights to Europe and join world-class voyages right off South African shores.

South Africa’s latest economic data delivered mixed signals, with manufacturing confidence weakening while tourism and new vehicle sales improved. The rand remained relatively stable despite higher oil prices and global inflation concerns.

Sunday review: Rand holds firm as SA data paints mixed picture of economy

South Africa’s latest economic data delivered mixed signals, with manufacturing confidence weakening while tourism and new vehicle sales improved.

Two Airlink Embraer aircraft fly over DHL Stadium in Cape Town before the second Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks on Saturday

Airlink's flyover moment broke the internet, but can it win bookings?

Whatever the outcome of that review, Airlink has already secured a level of attention that no conventional marketing campaign could easily replicate., writes Jeremy Sampson,…

Hospitality SMEs can protect service quality, cash flow and revenue by planning early for festive-season demand, from staffing and stock to bookings, technology and customer experience.

Don't wait for December: A hospitality SME's guide to festive season readiness

Hospitality SMEs can protect service quality, cash flow and revenue by planning early for festive-season demand, from staffing and stock to bookings, technology and customer…

Cape Town was among South Africa’s biggest winners at the 2026 World Travel Awards, taking the titles of Africa’s Leading City Destination and Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination.

South Africa sweeps top titles at 2026 World Travel Awards

Major award sweeps prove South Africa’s coastal cities continue setting the continental standard.

Statistics SA’s latest international tourism release indicates strong growth in international arrivals, which Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and tourism associations have welcomed.

Tourism roars back as South Africa records 12.5% surge in international arrivals

South Africa welcomed 991 696 international tourists in July 2026, up 12,5% from a year earlier, according to the Department of Tourism. Industry representatives have welcomed…

Fans during the FIFA World Cup 2010 match between Portugal and Korea DPR at Cape Town Stadium. The writer says the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 united everyone in a common purpose. That common purpose is needed again.

South Africa needs to unite in order to 'win the future'

What would it take for South Africa to become impossible for the world to ignore? The answer may lie in something we achieved 16 years ago.

Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, and the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, announced on Tuesday that they formalised a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at strengthening the preparation of priority tourism infrastructure projects and unlocking greater private sector investment into South Africa's tourism economy
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De Lille, Macpherson team up to unlock tourism infrastructure investment

Ministers Patricia de Lille and Dean Macpherson have announced a strategic partnership to enhance tourism infrastructure in South Africa, aiming to attract private investment and…

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that Phase Three of the Government-Business Partnership will have a strong focus on tourism as an economic driver, there has been positive reaction from Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille and the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) on Friday.

Tourism takes centre stage in government-business growth push

Government and business target tourism to drive investment, jobs and growth.