South Africa’s tourism sector is gearing up for what could be one of its strongest festive seasons in recent years, thanks to a sharp rise in international arrivals.
According to the latest data from the Department of Tourism, more than 7.6 million global travellers visited South Africa in the first nine months of the year: an increase of over one million compared to the same period in 2023.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) says the numbers paint an overwhelmingly positive picture for December, with the iconic attraction expecting to reach a major milestone of welcoming its 33 millionth visitor in the coming weeks.
Tourism boom ahead
The Department of Tourism’s update aligns closely with insights from Wesgro, the Western Cape’s official tourism and investment agency.
According to Wesgro, international arrivals to the province have already reached 87.4% of 2019 levels for the first half of 2025, with Africa and Australasia showing full recovery.
North America (89.1%) and Europe (82.8%) are also approaching pre-pandemic numbers.
TMACC Managing Director, Wahida Parker, described these trends as a clear sign that national efforts to revive the industry, through coordinated marketing campaigns and strong public-private partnerships, are paying off.
“These figures are the clearest possible indication that the incredible efforts of both the public and private sectors to reignite South African tourism are truly paying off,” Parker said.
“The recovery is officially in full swing.” she added.
Cableway predicts bumper December
With more than a million additional visitors entering the country this year, Parker also expects a busy and prosperous December, particularly in Cape Town, which remains one of South Africa’s most in-demand destinations during summer.
TMACC says it is fully prepared for the spike in demand.
The Cableway has implemented festive season operational plans to ensure smooth visitor flow, enhanced safety measures and efficient access to the summit of Table Mountain.
The company encourages visitors to buy tickets online, use the free shuttle service, and download the official TMACC app for live updates and planning tips.
“We look forward to sharing Table Mountain’s breathtaking views with guests from around the globe, across South Africa, and right here in our beautiful Mother City,” Parker said.
