South Africa prepares for strongest festive tourism season in years

South African KwaZulu-Natal is gearing up for its most dynamic festive tourism season, with the province forecasting between 1 and 1.1 million domestic trips and around 34,000 international arrivals in December alone. Officials estimate that the season will generate approximately US$758 million in tourism-related spending, with substantial contributions to the provincial economy.

Provincial authorities report a strong rebound throughout the year. Between January and May, Durban welcomed millions of domestic travellers and a significant rise in international visitors, injecting more than US$291.5 million into the local economy. For the upcoming festive season, the city expects to host more than 1.3 million visitors, as reported by DUrbanTV, a partner of TV BRICS.

South Africa recorded 8.92 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, a notable increase compared with the previous year. The first half of 2025 strengthened this upswing, particularly through regional arrivals from neighbouring countries.

The 2025/26 season opened in November, with Durban prepared to receive dozens of vessels and more than 100,000 passengers through mid-2026. Many of these visitors are expected to spend directly in the province’s coastal and urban tourism corridors.

Across the province, both coastal and inland destinations are reporting increased bookings, from the North Coast and Midlands to the Drakensberg. Officials attribute this momentum to coordinated efforts aimed at strengthening regional offerings and improving visitor experiences.

Heritage sites are also receiving renewed attention. During a recent oversight visit, officials reviewed ongoing upgrades at major cultural landmarks in KwaZulu-Natal’s interior, with improvements set to enhance accessibility, storytelling and community engagement.

Regional leaders note that tourism continues to play a transformative economic role, driving employment and supporting small enterprises. Recent provincial tourism forums have reinforced cooperation between districts and stakeholders, with a shared focus on broadening participation and ensuring all regions benefit from increased visitor flows.

Photo: Lukas Bischoff / iStock