SA attracts more international tourists despite travel ‘warning’ list

South Africa is poised to break its record for international tourist arrivals in 2026, as revealed by figures released by the Department of Tourism.

Interestingly, two of the top three countries with the highest international visitors have also issued travel alerts warning their citizens to “exercise caution” when travelling to SA.

SOUTH AFRICA RECORDS SPIKE IN INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS

According to the Department of Tourism, South Africa received over one million international tourists in August 2026.

This marked a 7.4% increase compared to August 2025.

Between January and August 2026, South Africa recorded over 7,5 million international visitors, an 11.7% increase compared with the same period last year.

Last year, statistics showed that around nine million international tourists arrived in the country.

WHICH COUTRIES ARE INTERNATIONAL VISITORS FROM?

According to data, during the month of August, the Top 3 overseas visitors to South Africa included:

• US – 37 134
• United Kingdom –  25 749 
• Germany – 14 731

The same countries accounted for the largest share of international tourists throughout 2025.

Figures were as follows for January to December 2025:

• US – 358 333
• UK – 356 080
• Germany – 256 878

TRAVEL ALERTS

Interestingly, both the UK and the US have issued travel alerts to their citizens to “exercise extreme caution” when visiting South Africa.

In May 2025, the US warned of crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping in South Africa. The alert – which is still active – also warned US officials living and working in South Africa to travel in “armoured vehicles” when conducting missions in informal settlements.

The UK government has claimed that terrorist attacks – citing the Israel and Palestine conflict, political violence, as well as Cape Town’s N2 “Hell Run” – are some of the reasons not to visit South Africa.

Other countries that have added South Africa to their travel alert lists include Australia, Canada, New Zealand and France.

Several African governments issued safety warnings to their citizens in South Africa amid a wave of anti-foreigner/xenophobic violence in 2026, with Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia taking particularly visible measures.