Johannesburg: Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille emphasized the significant role of South Africa’s tourism sector in the nation’s economy during the World Tourism Day 2025 celebrations at Constitution Hill’s People’s Park in Braamfontein. She asserted that tourism is not merely a leisure activity but a central component of the country’s economic policy, driving job creation, transformation, and sustainable growth.
According to South African Government News Agency, De Lille highlighted the sector’s economic contributions and announced new initiatives aimed at boosting both international arrivals and domestic travel. She revealed that the Department of Tourism has allocated R12 million to the development of Constitution Hill, designating the park as a tribute to the Constitutional Court.
De Lille stressed the importance of the year’s global theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” as a call for inclusive growth. She emphasized that tourism’s benefits must be widely shared, reaching villages, townships
, metros, and coastal hubs. The Minister illustrated this by highlighting local examples where tourism has visibly contributed to economic development and national pride.
Tourism’s economic impact was underscored with statistics showing robust growth in both domestic and international tourism. De Lille noted that during the first half of 2025, domestic trips increased by 14.8%, contributing R15.4 billion to GDP, while international visitors spent R48.7 billion, marking a 12% increase in arrivals compared to the previous year. The upcoming rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system is expected to further boost international arrivals by 1 million, creating up to 100,000 jobs.
The Minister also announced that South Africa would host major international events, including the LIV Golf tournament and the ICC Cricket World Cup, enhancing the country’s global profile and stimulating job creation. Additionally, the Tourism Investment Summit unveiled infrastructure projects worth nearly R1 billion, w
ith an ongoing pipeline of bankable projects for future investment opportunities.
Highlighting the role of innovation, De Lille recognized the contributions of young people in shaping the future of tourism through initiatives like the Tourism Hackathon. The Minister also celebrated the success of projects such as the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, which attracted 50,000 visitors since its launch.
In her closing remarks, De Lille called on South Africans to embrace tourism as a driver of national pride and transformation, urging them to promote the country’s vibrant tourism sector. Her World Tourism Day programme concluded with a walking tour of Johannesburg’s inner city and a visit to the Soweto Expo, showcasing local entrepreneurship and culture.