Travel and tourism is forecast to support 1.9 million jobs in South Africa in 2025
World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a leading global tourism organisation, says that in 2025, travel and tourism is forecast to support 1.9 million jobs in South Africa, 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 pc of all jobs in South Africa.
In its latest Economic Impact Research, WTTC says that domestic visitor spending continues to show stronger resilience, with 2025 total forecast at ZAR 445 billion (USD 25 billion), 3.8 pc above 2019 levels.
The report adds that while employment is set to reach an all-time high and domestic spending continues to grow, travel and tourism’s contribution to GDP and international visitor spend, continues to lag. Travel and tourism’s total contribution to the economy is projected to reach ZAR 659.8 billion, equivalent to 8.9 pc of national GDP, but still 3.4 pc shy of the 2019 peak.
Julia Simpson
“South Africa’s travel and 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 and 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,” says Julia Simpson, President & CEO, WTTC.
According to the report, international visitor spending, while set to grow steadily, is also expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels at ZAR 128.4 billion, trailing 2019 by ZAR 37.7 billion.
In 2024, WTTC South Africa’s travel and tourism contributed ZAR 618.7 billion to the nation’s economy, 9.4 pc below 2019, whilst the sector employed 1.8 million people. International visitor spending reached ZAR 116.5 billion, whilst domestic spending hit ZAR 430 billion, adds the report.
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