Zuko Komisa
- Total traveller movements reached 3,037,756 in March, with foreign arrivals growing 8.4% compared to the previous year.
- SADC nations provided 73.5% of tourists, while the UK, Germany, and the USA remained the primary overseas sources.
- Leisure travel is the overwhelming catalyst for growth, accounting for 97.2% of all tourist visits.
South Africa’s tourism sector continues to gather momentum, with more than three million travellers moving through the country in March 2026, as holiday travel remains the dominant reason for visits.
New Stats SA data underscores the sector’s strengthening recovery and its vital contribution to economic activity.
Statistics South Africa reports that foreign travellers comprised 76.2% of all March movements.
Of the 911,962 overnight tourists, regional SADC visitors primarily from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho formed the largest contingent.
Overseas interest also remained robust; the UK, Germany, and the USA collectively contributed over half of all long-haul arrivals, reinforcing South Africa’s appeal in traditional markets.
Road travel remains the most popular entry method, used by 65.4% of travellers, followed by air travel at 32.9%. The data also reveals a relatively young visitor profile, with over half of all tourists aged between 25 and 44.
This sustained demand, evidenced by a significant rise in both arrivals and transits compared to 2025, signals a resilient and expanding tourism economy.
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