As we step into 2025, South Africa’s tourism recovery remains uneven. While overall inbound tourism sits at just under 82% of 2019 levels, the distribution of visitors is highly concentrated in just two key regions: Cape Town and the Kruger National Park. Meanwhile, other provinces—despite offering exceptional tourism experiences—continue to struggle. If we are to surpass pre-pandemic numbers and drive sustainable tourism growth, we must ask: How do we expand geographical spread and ensure a more balanced recovery?
David Frost, CEO, Satsa
Looking at overseas arrivals between 2000 and 2017, we saw steady growth—from 1,394,395 arrivals in 2000 to 2,725,855 in 2017. Since then, international arrivals have declined, followed by the…

















