De Lille Champions Tourism
South Africa’s tourism sector stands tall as a key pillar of the nation’s economy, not just a nice-to-have but a vital force for creating jobs, fostering change and ensuring long-term progress. That was the strong message from Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille during the World Tourism Day 2025 festivities at Constitution Hill’s People’s Park in Braamfontein on Saturday.
In her address, she painted a picture of a thriving industry that touches every corner of the country, from bustling cities to quiet rural spots, and shared fresh plans to draw more visitors while encouraging locals to explore their own backyard.
The celebrations brought together government officials, industry players and community members to mark the global day under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”. De Lille used the event to underline how tourism weaves into the fabric of South Africa’s story of freedom and opportunity, especially at a site like Constitution Hill, which echoes the country’s hard-won democracy. [1] She called on everyone to see tourism not as a side hustle but as a main driver of economic policy that builds pride and shared wealth.
This push comes at a time when the sector is bouncing back strong, with numbers showing steady climbs in both local and overseas trips. De Lille’s words were backed by hard facts on visitor spends, job creation and new tech tools like the upcoming Electronic Travel Authorisation system, all set to supercharge arrivals. [4] As the country gears up for big global events, her speech served as a rally cry for more investment and innovation to keep the momentum going.
Historic Venue Sets the Stage for Celebration
The choice of Constitution Hill People’s Park was no accident. De Lille described it as more than just a spot for events—it’s a living reminder of South Africa’s journey to freedom. “It is a profound honour to celebrate World Tourism Day 2025 here at Constitution Hill People’s Park. This is not just a venue, but a place of memory and freedom. A reminder that democracy is not only about the rights we enjoy, but about the opportunities we create,” she said.
To make the park even more appealing, the Department of Tourism has pumped in R12 million for its upgrade. This forms part of a bigger plan for the Constitution Hill Precinct, where the park pays tribute to the Constitutional Court, much like the gardens fronting the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The investment aims to turn it into a must-see for tourists, blending history with green spaces that invite reflection and relaxation.
The day’s programme wrapped up with a guided walking tour through Johannesburg’s inner city, followed by a stop at the Soweto Expo. There, visitors enjoyed live shows, handmade crafts and chats with local business owners who keep the tourism vibe alive. De Lille encouraged sharing these moments online, saying every photo or review helps show the world that South Africa’s change is real and its joys are everywhere.
Theme Pushes for Inclusive and Lasting Change
This year’s global focus, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, struck a chord with De Lille, who stressed it as a blueprint for growth that leaves no one behind. “Today, we gather to affirm a truth that grows clearer each day: tourism is not a side story, tourism is economic policy. It is a driver of jobs, of pride, and of transformation that is sustainable, inclusive, and unstoppable,” she declared.
She broke it down simply: sustainability isn’t just talk; it must bring real wins for people. That means spreading tourism perks from villages and townships to big cities and beach towns. It involves protecting what makes South Africa special—its landscapes, history and traditions. De Lille gave everyday examples to make her point: a packed family guesthouse in Bizana, youth-led walking tours in Mamelodi sharing proud stories, or a cosy café in Mpumalanga turning into a hot spot for travellers.
These small wins, she said, add up to building a stronger economy and a united nation. More South Africans are getting out and about in their own country, rediscovering hidden gems and boosting local spots.
Booming Numbers Show Sector’s Strength
De Lille didn’t hold back on the figures, proving tourism’s punch in 2025. From January to June, domestic trips jumped 14.8%, with 3.8 million holiday outings adding R15.4 billion to the GDP. International visitors hit five million in the same stretch, splashing out R48.7 billion and marking a 12% rise from before.
July brought even better news: over 880,000 overseas guests arrived, a whopping 26% more than the same month last year. Looking back further, last year saw nearly nine million international arrivals and 47 million local trips, pushing the sector’s GDP share above 12%. These trends build on campaigns like the Sho’t Left Travel Week, which rolled out 650 deals this year to make exploring affordable for everyone.
The sector already holds up 1.8 million jobs and chips in 8.8% to the national GDP, but De Lille sees room for more. She tied this to broader efforts, like the recent Tourism Investment Summit where eight ready-to-go projects worth close to R1 billion were revealed. These span public and private ventures with solid returns and big community lifts.
ETA System: A Game-Changer for Easier Travel
One of the biggest buzzes from De Lille’s talk was the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, set to kick off in October. She predicted it could bring in an extra one million visitors, sparking 80,000 to 100,000 new jobs on top of the current tally.
But digging deeper, the ETA is a smart digital shift led by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, unveiled on 18 September 2025 at a tourism conference. It swaps old paper forms for an online setup where folks apply, snap biometrics and get quick nods. Testing starts late September, with the first wave in mid-October for G20 delegates from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico landing at OR Tambo or Cape Town airports.
Come late November, after the G20 summit, it opens to all tourists from those nations. Over time, it’ll cover everyone needing visas for South Africa, and expand to other entry types. Powered by AI and linked to an upgraded movement control system with face scans, it promises fast, secure entries—no long lines, just smooth welcomes.
This builds on a pilot scheme that already pulled in over 35,000 extra visitors from China and India in seven months. Schreiber called it a way to smash visa hurdles that held back tourism, while beefing up security. “Instead of long queues, paper forms and inefficiency, from now on, the first impression that tourists will get of South Africa will be when they apply online for an ETA – showcasing a country with an immigration system that is rapidly modernising, embracing innovation, and blazing a trail towards becoming a world leader in digital transformation,” he said.
For travellers, it means less hassle and quicker trips, positioning South Africa as a modern spot ready for the world. De Lille linked this to rising arrivals, saying it’s key to hitting those job and growth targets.
Big Events and Fresh Investments on the Horizon
De Lille spotlighted upcoming draws to put South Africa on the map. Next year, Gauteng’s Steyn City hosts the LIV Golf tournament—tickets already snapped up—while 2027 brings the ICC Cricket World Cup. These aren’t just games; they’re job-makers and livelihood boosters.
She also nodded to Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie’s push for Formula 1 at Kyalami in Johannesburg, adding to the sports tourism mix. On the investment side, the recent G20 Tourism Investment Summit in Cape Town unveiled those eight projects. Two standouts: the God’s Window Skywalk in Mpumalanga, needing R200 million for a thrilling viewpoint over stunning vistas, and the Hole in the Wall Resort in Eastern Cape, seeking R141 million to build eco-friendly stays near a natural wonder.
These join others in a pipeline worth nearly R1 billion, using models like public-private tie-ups and blended funding. The summit, a G20 leftover, drew global bigwigs and launched new guidelines with UN Tourism to guide investors. Titled “Tourism Doing Business: Investing in South Africa Guidelines”, it maps out chances, perks like tax breaks, and projects for lasting growth.
UN Tourism chipped in big, offering 100 scholarships for online training to skill up young South Africans for tourism jobs. They also shared guides for other African nations like Angola and Kenya, boosting the continent’s appeal. Stats from the event show South African tourism startups grabbed over $39 million in venture cash from 2019 to 2024, half of Africa’s total, signalling hot interest in tech twists on travel.
Private moves add steam: the V&A Waterfront’s R20 billion Granger Bay revamp and ClubMed’s multi-billion resort in KwaZulu-Natal show faith in the sector.
Youth and Tech Drive Innovation
De Lille shone a light on young minds shaping tourism’s tomorrow. This month, the first Tourism Hackathon crowned winners from 21 universities, who cooked up AI tools to make trips more fun and memorable.
Sites like the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre at Golden Gate in SanParks have already pulled in 50,000 visitors since opening in June, blending education with adventure. With 56% of South Africans under 30 and a 95% adult literacy rate, the country boasts a ready workforce, backed by top universities and skills programmes.
G20 plans include AI for people-centred growth, tourism funding actions and resilience building for a tougher, greener industry.
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