South Africa Tops Africa in 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index

South Africa has achieved a remarkable milestone in the tourism sector, emerging as the top-ranked African nation on the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) by the World Economic Forum. Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille expressed her delight at this achievement, highlighting the country’s commitment to elevating the significance of tourism.

Ranked 55th among 119 countries, South Africa leads the continent in the TTDI, reflecting the country’s efforts to enable sustainable and resilient development of the travel and tourism sector. This development is crucial for the economic growth of the nation.

The tourism sector in South Africa has seen significant growth, with nearly 8.5 million international visitors welcomed in 2023, a 48.9% increase from the previous year. The first quarter of 2024 also saw a 15.4% rise in international visitors compared to the same period in 2023.

South Africa’s advancement of seven places in the 2024 Index is attributed to its high scores in price competitiveness, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) readiness, natural resources, and the socio-economic impact of travel and tourism. Minister de Lille emphasized the sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP and job creation efforts, highlighting the collaboration with private sector stakeholders.

As the tourism sector’s greatest asset, Minister de Lille reiterated the commitment to growing tourism’s contribution to the prosperity of people and the planet. With a focus on partnerships and collaborations, South Africa aims to further enhance its tourism sector and attract more visitors in the coming years.