Americans fuel overseas tourists jump in May
· The South African
The South African tourism boom continued in May despite the Middle East conflict. The surprise was a 12.1% year-on-year jump in the number of overseas tourists to 170 837. This followed a 2.0% year-on-year gain in April. Americans fueled this overseas tourists jump in May with a 10.7% year-on-year rise to 41 846.
Consequently, now you know why you heard more American accents at Cape Town’s Waterfront or in the Kruger National Park.
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The total number of tourist arrivals grew by 7.2% year-on-year in May.
In January 2026, the total number of tourist arrivals rose by 11.8% year-on-year. The number of overseas tourists increased by 11.6% year-on-year.
May 2026 overseas tourist arrivals
Statistics South Africa said the 10 leading overseas countries in terms of the number of tourists visiting South Africa in May 2026 were: the US, the UK, Germany, France, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Canada, India, and Italy.
A comparison with May 2025 shows that the number of tourists increased for 9 of the 10 leading countries. India was the exception as tourists from that country plummeted by 44.0% year-on-year. Brazil had the highest increase at 40.6% year-on-year.
The UK is normally the leading source of overseas tourist. In April the order was the UK, the US, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Surprisingly, in March the US, the Netherlands and Canada were the countries that had year ago declines.
May 2026 rest of Africa tourist arrivals
Mozambique and Zimbabwe each contributed more tourist arrivals than the total overseas arrivals. Mozambique contributed 201 335 and Zimbabwe 188 774.
In contrast to the overseas 10 leading countries, where only one country showed a year ago decline, the rest of Africa 10 leading countries had six that showed a year ago decline.
Tanzania had the highest increase of 25.8% year-on-year in May.