Thursday, 1 October 2026

Tourism projects in the pipeline grew from eight worth about R1 billion in 2025 to 15 bankable projects valued at approximately R3.5 billion, with three already funded.

Minister Patricia De Lille said a digitised visa system now lets visitors apply once and receive an answer within 24 hours, replacing paper-heavy processes.

The Department of Tourism and IDC plan to map rural investment opportunities and match funding rand-for-rand through tourism equity and transformation funds.

Tourism officials said rural communities, small towns, villages and townships must benefit more, with infrastructure, agriculture, skills and private-sector collaboration treated as connected priorities.

South Africa is targeting 15.1 million tourists by 2029, while the minister said every 13 arrivals create one permanent job and two indirect jobs.