In July 2022, arrivals to South Africa from overseas totalled 122 720, up 29% from June and standing at 63% of July 2019’s total of 192 277. The rise came on rhe back of the lifting of the country's last COVID restrictions on June 23.
Arrivals from Europe showed strong recovery, with impressive increases from all major source markets, Stats SA’s latest Tourism and Migration Stats show.
The most notable increase came from the Netherlands, where the number of arrivals more than tripled, from 2 956 in June, to 11 111. The UK source market is bouncing back, with arrivals increasing from 12 301 to 18 967. The traditional top source market’s upward trajectory coincides with a levelling out of arrivals from the US (28 207 in June, dropping to 28 136 in July).
Belgium (1 177 to 4 665), France (3 603 to 6 605) and Germany (5 385 to 7 894), all registered strong performances, contributing to Europe’s rise in the overall share of international arrivals to South Africa, from 41% to 54%.
Including inbound arrivals from Africa, total arrivals were 64% of July 2019 numbers, at 507 026.
Click here to view Tourism Update’s interactive map of the latest data and historical trends.
