Travel & Tourism employment in South Africa set to hit record high, but key challenges remain

 LONDON, UK –  New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed South Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector is projected to reach a major milestone this year, set to support more jobs than ever before, but wider data points to a sector still in recovery mode. According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), in 2025 Travel & Tourism is forecast to support 1.9 million jobs, surpassing 2019 levels and marking an all-time high, underlining its role as a key employer and major source of opportunity, with the sector accounting for 11.3% of all jobs in South Africa.

Domestic visitor spending continues to show stronger resilience, with 2025 total forecast at ZAR 445 billion, 3.8% above 2019 levels. But while employment is set to reach an all-time high and domestic spending continues to grow, Travel &Tourism’s contribution to GDP and international visitor spend, continues to lag.

Travel & Tourism’s total contribution to the economy is projected to reach ZAR 659.8bn., equivalent to 8.9% of national GDP, but still 3.4% shy of the 2019 peak. International visitor spending, while set to grow steadily, is expected to remain below pre pandemic levels at ZAR 128.4bn., trailing 2019 by ZAR 37.7bn.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “South Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector is slowly turning the corner. Jobs are leading the recovery, with employment expected to reach new highs, showing the enormous human impact of the sector’s growth. As South Africa takes on the G20 Presidency in 2025, it has a unique opportunity to place Travel & Tourism at the heart of its agenda. WTTC is delighted to be working with Minister Patricia de Lille, a truly dynamic Minister, in contributing to the G20 process, including an Investment Summit in September.” 

Drawing from 2024

In 2024, WTTC South Africa’s Travel & Tourism contributed ZAR 618.7bn. to the nation’s economy – 9.4% below 2019, whilst the sector employed 1.8mn. people. International visitor spending reached ZAR 116.5BN, whilst domestic spending hit ZAR430bn.

A Decade of Opportunity

WTTC believes that with the right national priorities, strengthened public-private collaboration under the powerful leadership of Minister Patricia de Lille, South Africa can unlock a new era of unprecedented growth. The global tourism body forecasts strong momentum through 2035, with Travel & Tourism adding an additional 620,000 new jobs, reaching a total of 2.6mn. – 13.8% of the country’s workforce.

The sector’s economic contribution could grow to ZAR 911.7bn., representing a 10.3% share of GDP

Tags: South Africa Travel and Tourism, Julia Simpson, WTTC