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South African Travel & Tourism Sector Poised for Record Employment Despite Lingering Challenges – Image Credit Unsplash+
South Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector is expected to support a record 1.9 million jobs this year, marking an all-time high. However, the industry’s contribution to GDP and international visitor spending lags.
Projected Employment Growth
According to the latest Economic Impact Research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the Travel & Tourism industry in South Africa is set to support a record 1.9 million jobs by 2025. This forecast surpasses 2019 levels, indicating the industry’s significant role as a national key employer and opportunity source. The sector is projected to account for 11.3% of all jobs in South Africa.
Domestic Visitor Spending
Despite the sector’s recovery phase, domestic visitor spending in South Africa shows remarkable resilience. The total forecast for 2025 is ZAR 445 billion, marking a 3.8% increase from 2019. This growth underscores the significance of domestic tourism in the country’s economic recovery.
GDP Contribution and International Visitor Spending
Despite the projected employment growth and domestic spending increase, the Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution and international visitor spending are still catching up. The sector is expected to contribute ZAR 659.8 billion to the economy, equivalent to 8.9% of the national GDP. However, this figure is still 3.4% below the 2019 peak.
International visitor spending is anticipated to grow steadily but remain below pre-pandemic levels at ZAR 128.4 billion. This figure trails 2019 levels by ZAR 37.7 billion, indicating a slower recovery in international tourism.
2024 Overview and Future Projections
In 2024, the Travel & Tourism sector in South Africa contributed ZAR 618.7 billion to the nation’s economy. The sector employed 1.8 million people, with international visitor spending reaching ZAR 116.5 billion and domestic spending amounting to ZAR 430 billion.
Looking ahead, WTTC forecasts strong growth momentum through 2035. With the right national priorities and strengthened public-private collaboration, the sector could add 620,000 new jobs, reaching 2.6 million. The sector’s economic contribution could grow to ZAR 911.7 billion, representing a 10.3% share of the GDP.
