South Africa’s tourism sector is navigating a changing travel landscape, with artificial intelligence reshaping how tourists plan and experience their trips, while rising jet fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict put pressure on travel costs. Tourist arrivals grew by 12.3% in the first half of 2026, but growth remains uneven, with arrivals from the rest of Africa outperforming overseas markets. So, how can South Africa strengthen its tourism competitiveness, ensure local businesses remain visible in the age of AI, and attract more international and domestic travellers?

The National Briefing · Oct 30, 2026 · 9m

Guest: Siyabonga Mthethwa, Chief Strategy Officer at South African Tourism