Gauteng tourism earns over R61 Billion despite Global Challenges

image: SABC

by Kelebogile Matlou

Gauteng Tourism has recorded over R40 billion in foreign tourism revenue and R21 billion in domestic tourism revenue, according to figures revealed on Sunday by Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile during a media briefing in Johannesburg.

Presenting the tourism performance update for the 2024/25 financial year, Maile also highlighted that more than R1.8 billion was generated from events hosted in the province. He acknowledged, however, that the sector has faced numerous challenges in recent years.

“In recent years, the sector has grappled with several socio-economic and political challenges which have significantly hindered recovery and growth,” Maile said. These include geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, rising protectionism that has increased transport costs, operational complexities, extreme weather events, disrupted travel patterns, and seasonal mobility shifts.

He said that regional conflicts including the war in Ukraine, unrest in the Middle East, and changing US foreign policy toward South Africa and other African nations have affected flight routes, travel bookings, and global tourism sentiment.

Maile announced that Gauteng is rolling out new strategies to boost tourism and grow local businesses, stressing that the province must continue to develop as a leading travel destination. ‘’What we have presented today is a detailed account of what destination tourism performance is. It is not just numbers or statistics from graphs and pie charts; these are direct results of our work in growing Gauteng together. The residue of the Gauteng economy is dynamic and resilient,” he said.