South Africa’s (SA) tourism industry is showing signs of resilience, with new data indicating a rise in accommodation earnings for February.

Figures released by Statistics SA show that income from tourist accommodation increased by 8.9% year-on-year in February, driven mainly by growth in the number of stay unit nights sold.

Over the three months to February 2026, accommodation income rose by 5.1%, with guest houses, guest farms and other accommodation types among the key contributors to the increase.

The latest numbers suggest continued recovery in the hospitality sector, particularly within the hotel industry, which has seen a surge in activity.

However, concerns remain within the broader travel sector. While more tourists are staying overnight, rising global oil prices are pushing up airfares, raising fears that this could slow future growth in travel demand.

–ChannelAfrica–