South Africans took more domestic holidays during the first half of 2026, but total tourism spending remained below last year’s level.
Domestic travellers completed 21.2 million overnight trips during the six months, according to the Department of Tourism.
This represented a 4% increase from 20.4 million trips during the same period in 2025.
Holiday travel records strongest growth
South Africans took 5.2 million domestic holiday trips during the first half of 2026.
This marked a 36% year-on-year increase.
The difference between the 36% rise in holiday trips and the 4% growth in overall overnight travel points to an uneven domestic market.
Based on the department’s headline figures, non-holiday overnight trips appear to have declined. The department did not provide a breakdown according to the purpose of each trip.
Domestic tourism spending remains lower
Total spending on domestic tourism remained below the level recorded during the first half of 2025.
The Department of Tourism did not provide a rand value or percentage decline.
The figures suggest South Africans are travelling more frequently while managing their budgets carefully.
Affordability shapes travel decisions
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille addressed the financial pressures facing local travellers during the launch of Tourism Month 2026 in Durban.
“Affordability matters. Accessibility matters. Awareness matters,” she said.
The department is promoting domestic travel through discounted packages and free-entry initiatives.
These include:
- Sho’t Left Travel Week
- Free day entry during South African National Parks Week
- Provincial Mahala Weeks
De Lille also called on private tourism businesses to develop “compelling, competitive, and affordable tourism products”.
She encouraged provinces and cities to promote attractions and experiences beyond established tourism routes.
Domestic tourism supports economic resilience
The department is positioning domestic tourism as a central part of South Africa’s tourism economy rather than a replacement for international visitors.
“It is not a secondary part of our tourism economy. It is one of the foundations of a resilient tourism economy,” De Lille said.
Local travel supports accommodation providers, restaurants, tour operators and attractions throughout the year.
The sector’s challenge is converting increased travel into sustainable income without placing holidays beyond the reach of South Africans.
Digital platforms shape holiday planning
Tourism Month 2026 is being held under the theme “Growing South Africa’s Tourism Sector in the Digital Era”.
The department highlighted the influence of digital platforms and artificial intelligence on the way travellers find destinations, compare experiences and plan trips.
Greater online visibility also gives smaller tourism businesses outside established routes an opportunity to reach domestic travellers.
The first-half figures show strong demand for local holidays. The next step is ensuring tourism businesses and communities receive a greater share of the associated spending.
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