Tourism Department sets target of 15 million tourists by 2030

Minister Patricia De Lille addresses Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban.

EDITORIAL NOTE: This story was updated to reflect 15 million and not 50 million international visitors as earlier reported.

Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille says South Africa’s tourism industry is aiming to attract 15 million international visitors by 2030, as part of a broader strategy to grow the economy and create jobs.

Speaking at the opening of the Africa’s Travel Indaba at the Durban International Convention Centre, De Lille highlighted tourism as a key driver for economic growth across Africa.

The event features more than 1 000 exhibitors from over 20 African countries and includes discussions focused on expanding the continent’s tourism economy.

De Lille added that the sector’s long-term objective is to help create more than one-million jobs before the end of 2029.

“The President gave me a target that by 2030, we must welcome 15 million visitors to our country. He said minister, you must also create more than one-million jobs by 2029. So, we have a target that we are working towards and the president is monitoring us very closely.”

Minister Patricia de Lille welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa to Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 and highlighted key tourism milestones, including the opening of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre last year.

The Minister also reflected on the continued growth of South… pic.twitter.com/qpdveFTm1f

— Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 (@travel_indaba) May 12, 2026

Speaking at the same event, President Cyril Ramaphosa described tourism as the major economic contributor in the continent.

“For many African countries, tourism is not merely a leisure industry. It is a developmental instrument. It becomes an instrument through which we can grow our economies. Tourism must be seen for what it is, a major economic driver as it contributes billions of dollars annually to many African economies. “