Forecast: Tourism Direct Employment in South Africa

The tourism direct employment in South Africa displayed fluctuations over the years. Starting from 4.4 in 2013, it peaked at 4.7 in 2019, reflecting a 27.03% year-on-year uptick. However, it dipped again in 2020, partially due to the COVID-19 impact. Throughout 2014 to 2023, the employment variation displayed a mixed trend with changes ranging from -11.11% to 27.03%. As of 2023, this figure stood at 4.5, showing a steady trend with a 2.27% increase from the previous year. The average annual growth (CAGR) for the past five years hovered at approximately 3.99% between 2018 and 2023. The forecast for 2024 to 2028 suggests a modest annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.44%, culminating in a 2.22% overall growth by 2028.

Future trends to watch for:

• The impact of global economic conditions and geopolitical stability on international tourism.
• Influence of government policies and investment in tourism infrastructure.
• Changes in travel behavior and preferences post-pandemic.