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Regional tourism growth in 2026

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2026-09-30 15:07 UTC → 2026-10-07 04:00 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Various nations in Africa and Southeast Asia reported significant increases in international tourism arrivals during 2026. In Brunei, visitor arrivals rose by 7.8 per cent in the first half of the year, reaching nearly 400,000, supported by a nearly 70 per cent increase in sea arrivals. While the average length of hotel stays decreased, tourism receipts rose to approximately BND158 million. Eswatini saw its monthly arrivals exceed 100,000 for the first time in July 2026, marking a 13.4 per cent increase over the previous year. The country has since reported an 8 per cent increase in visitor arrivals compared to the previous year, with more than 562,000 visitors recorded. Eswatini Tourism CEO Vusi Dlamini attributed the rise to improved air connectivity via Eswatini Air’s flights to Zambia. South Africa reported a 12.5 per cent increase in international overnight tourists in July 2026, with total arrivals for the first seven months reaching over 6.5 million. ~~However, by~~ By August 2026, arrivals increased by 5.3 per cent year-on-year, though they remained 4.6 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. While growth occurred from Europe, Russia, and ~~Belgium occurred,~~ Belgium, the Asian market remained weak, with arrivals from China and India declining by 20 per cent and 22.5 per cent respectively. Conversely, New Zealand arrivals surged by 128.6 per cent in August. ~~Broadly, Africa’s tourism sector outperformed global trends~~ By August 2026, South Africa had welcomed nearly 7.5 million international tourists since January, representing a 12 per cent increase in arrivals during the first half of ~~2026, recording a 4~~ the year according to UN Tourism. While the Western Cape accounted for 9.4 per cent ~~increase in international~~ of arrivals, ~~significantly exceeding the 0.4~~ KwaZulu-Natal saw a decline, partly due to a 28.6 per cent ~~global average. While the global market faced headwinds such as inflation and rising travel costs, Africa maintained steady momentum~~ drop in ~~both North~~ international flights to Durban. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille noted that this demand is expected to drive investment and ~~Sub-Saharan regions.~~ job creation.

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