Cape Town’s tourism industry delivered a strong economic performance in 2025, generating more than R24 billion and reinforcing its position as one of South Africa’s key growth sectors.
Foreign visitor spending reached a record R19 billion, marking an all-time high for the city’s tourism economy. The sector reports that international arrivals and related spending contributed to more than 106,000 jobs, highlighting tourism’s continued role as a major driver of employment and economic activity.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth and Tourism, James Vos, said tourism remains one of the most effective tools for job creation and continues to play a vital role in Cape Town’s broader economic development.
Airports Company South Africa data shows a record 11 million two-way passenger movements through Cape Town in 2025, including over 3 million international passengers passing through Cape Town International Airport. This reflects a 7% increase compared with 2024, signalling strong recovery and growing global demand for the destination.
Despite this growth, the industry has raised concerns over a decline in domestic tourism, attributing the slowdown to ongoing economic pressure affecting local travel affordability and demand.
Overall, while international tourism continues to fuel strong growth, the weakening domestic market presents a challenge for sustaining balanced long-term expansion in the sector.