Domestic tourism expenditure on air passenger transport services in South Africa has fluctuated significantly from 2013 to 2023. After steady growth from 2013, with values rising from 26.87 billion to 45.59 billion by 2019, the 2020 pandemic caused a dramatic 58.32% drop to 19.0 billion Rands. Recovery was swift, with expenditures rebounding to 37.23 billion in 2021 and reaching 53.79 billion in 2023, a near-full recovery and growth beyond pre-pandemic levels.
From 2024 onwards, forecasts suggest a moderate but steady annual growth. By 2028, the expenditure is expected to be at 63.79 billion, with a forecasted five-year CAGR of 2.95% and total growth of 15.64% over the period from 2023. Year-on-year growth is expected to gradually decelerate but remain positive, ensuring a stable upward trend.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of potential new strains of COVID-19 on travel, economic fluctuations impacting travelers' disposable income, and technological advancements improving air transport services efficiency and costs.
