Gauteng’s tourism sector has delivered a major economic boost, raking in R61 billion in revenue for the 2024/25 financial year, according to figures released on Sunday by Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg, Maile said the province generated over R40 billion from foreign visitors and R21 billion from domestic tourism. Events hosted in Gauteng contributed more than R1.8 billion to the local economy.
MEDIA BRIEFING | Destination GAUTENG Tourism Performance
Gauteng has reinforced its status as the most visited province in South Africa and the continent’s most globally connected tourism gateway. In 2024/25, Gauteng recorded over 3.8 million international arrivals, a… pic.twitter.com/ChTRRaMaSG
— Lebogang Maile (@LebogangMaile1) August 10, 2025Challenges in a Complex Global Climate
While celebrating the sector’s performance, Maile acknowledged that tourism has faced severe global and domestic pressures in recent years.
“The sector continues to grapple with several structural challenges, including geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, rising protectionism, extreme weather events, and regional conflicts,” Maile said.
He cited the Ukraine war, unrest in the Middle East, and shifting U.S. policy towards South Africa and African nations as factors disrupting travel patterns, rerouting flights, and altering booking behaviours.
Plans to Boost Tourism and Local Businesses
Maile revealed that Gauteng is rolling out new initiatives to grow tourism and strengthen local enterprises, aiming to position the province as a premier travel destination.
“What we have presented today is a detailed account of what destination tourism performance is. These are not just statistics; they are the direct results of our work in growing Gauteng together,” he said.
Maile described Gauteng’s economy as “dynamic and resilient”, stressing that sustained investment in tourism infrastructure, marketing, and event hosting will be critical for future growth.
