South Africa’s Hotel Sector Rakes in R4.2 Billion as Tourism Grows

South Africa’s Hotel Sector Rakes in R4.2 Billion as Tourism Grows in 2025

South Africa’s hotel sector continues to demonstrate strong growth in 2025, driven by rising domestic and international tourism demand. The industry’s robust recovery is characterised by increased occupancy rates, higher average daily room rates (ADR), and expanding revenue per available room (RevPAR). These positive trends reflect the country’s improving economic conditions, a growing travel market, and effective sector strategies that boost guest experience and competitiveness.

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According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), tourism accommodation income rose by 9.8% year-on-year in April 2025 compared to April 2024, reaching approximately R4.2 billion. Hotels accounted for a significant portion, contributing an 11.1% rise in income during this period, supported by a 4.5% increase in stay unit nights sold and a 9.9% growth in income per stay unit night sold.

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Rate and Revenue Explained

RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) and ADR (Average Daily Rate) are two key performance metrics widely used in the hotel industry to evaluate financial performance and operational efficiency.

• Average Daily Rate (ADR) measures the average rental income earned per occupied room over a specific period. It is calculated by dividing the total room revenue by the number of rooms sold (occupied rooms). ADR indicates how much on average guests are paying to stay in a hotel room. For example, an ADR of R1,747 means each occupied room generates R1,747 on average per night. ADR reflects pricing strategy and market demand.
• Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) measures the total revenue a hotel generates per available room, whether occupied or not. It is calculated by dividing total room revenue by the total number of available rooms, or alternatively by multiplying the ADR by the occupancy rate (percentage of rooms sold). RevPAR provides a more comprehensive indicator of overall room revenue performance, factoring in both price and occupancy. For instance, a RevPAR of R1,039 means the hotel earns R1,039 revenue for each room available on average, regardless of whether it is occupied.

ADR focuses only on the rooms actually sold, showing how much revenue you gain from each occupied room. RevPAR adjusts for all rooms available, showing revenue efficiency across the entire inventory, making it a key metric for profitability and performance benchmarking in South Africa’s growing hotel sector in 2025.

These metrics together help hoteliers assess pricing effectiveness, occupancy trends, and revenue management success, which are critical for adapting strategies to maximize income amid increasing tourism demand and market competition.

Hotel Sector National & Provincial Statistics

Nationally, South Africa’s hotel sector reported a 6.9% increase in occupancy, climbing from 55.7% in May 2024 to 59.5% in May 2025. The ADR rose by 8.5%, from ZAR 1,610.11 to ZAR 1,747.04, driving a robust 16.0% surge in RevPAR, from ZAR 896.67 to ZAR 1,039.81. These gains reflect a healthy balance of increased demand and pricing power, with room revenue also up by 16.0%. Year-to-date (YTD) figures further underscore this positive trend, with occupancy slightly up by 1.7%, ADR increasing by 9.8%, and RevPAR growing by 11.7%.

Gauteng: Business Travel Fuels Growth

Gauteng, South Africa’s economic hub, reported a 10.8% occupancy increase to 59.8%, with a 4.6% ADR rise to ZAR 1,435.17, resulting in a 16.0% RevPAR gain to ZAR 857.97. Pretoria & Surroundings was a standout, with a remarkable 31.3% occupancy surge to 62.7% and a 43.2% RevPAR increase to ZAR 830.67. Sandton and Johannesburg also performed well, with RevPAR gains of 9.3% and 18.5%, respectively.

The 4-star segment in Gauteng led with a 17.5% occupancy increase and 27.0% RevPAR growth, reflecting strong business and conference-related demand. The region’s recovery highlights its role as a commercial centre, with hotels benefiting from both domestic and international travellers.

Provincial Performance Overview

Province	Occupancy Rate (%)	Average Daily Rate (ADR) (ZAR)	Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) (ZAR)	Key Highlights
Western Cape	82.7	3,804	3,146	Cape Town leads with 83.5% occupancy; ADR R4,517; strong luxury hotel demand
Gauteng	59.5	~1,747	~1,039	Driven by corporate travel; four-star segment leads
Free State	—	—	+37.0% growth	Secondary market gains due to events and infrastructure
Limpopo	—	—	+23.6% growth	Emerging eco-tourism and improved accessibility
KwaZulu-Natal	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Coastal resort steady; balance between leisure and business travel
Northern Cape	Mixed	Moderate	Moderate	Niche tourism markets with potential
Mpumalanga	Mixed	Moderate	Moderate	Regional tourism supported by nature reserves
Eastern Cape	Mixed	Moderate	Moderate	Growth in eco- and cultural tourism

Note: Some provinces report growth trends without precise percentage values due to limited data granularity.

Hotel Category Performance

Hotel Category	Occupancy Rate (%)	Average Daily Rate (ADR) Growth	RevPAR Growth (%)	Key Drivers
Five-Star Hotels	Stable to improving	+20%+	Significant	Luxury demand from international and business travelers
Four-Star Hotels	Growing	Moderate to high	+22.2%	Balanced demand from corporate and leisure segments
Three-Star and Economy	Moderate	+8% to 12%	Moderate	Domestic tourists and budget travelers
Independent Hotels, Guesthouses, B&Bs	Moderate to high	+16% ADR growth	+8%	Personalized experiences and longer stay trends

Independent accommodations, guesthouses, and B&Bs recorded encouraging growth, particularly in ADR, as travellers seek unique and personalised lodging options.

Tourism: Key Trends and Highlights

• Occupancy Increases: Western Cape and Gauteng lead in occupancy growth, with primary cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg witnessing robust demand rebound.
• Pricing Power: The ability to increase ADR and maintain strong occupancy underpins healthy RevPAR gains, especially in four-star and luxury segments.
• Regional Diversification: Provinces such as the Free State and Limpopo are emerging as growth corridors, benefitting from event-driven and eco-tourism developments.
• Longer Stays & Experience Economy: Guests increasingly opt for longer visits and seek unique experiences beyond standard hotel offerings, benefiting smaller accommodation providers.
• Business vs Leisure Balance: Gauteng’s growth is fuelled largely by business travel and conferences, while coastal provinces enjoy strong leisure and holidaymaker demand.

Challenges Facing the Sector

• Economic Pressures: Inflationary cost increases, wage demands, and currency fluctuations challenge operational margins.
• Seasonality: Demand remains uneven across seasons and regions, requiring adaptive marketing and pricing strategies.
• Competition From Alternative Lodging: The rise in Airbnb and other non-traditional accommodation competitors demands innovation and differentiation from hotels.
• Labour Market Constraints: Shortages of skilled staff negatively impact service quality and operational efficiency.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Some provinces require improved transport and tourism infrastructure to fully harness growth potential.

Sector Outlook and Forecasts

Industry analysts predict the South African hotel sector will maintain moderate growth throughout 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4-5% in revenue. Recovery in international tourism, coupled with sustained domestic travel, will underpin demand. Hotels investing in technology adoption, sustainability, and enhanced guest experiences stand poised to maximise opportunities and strengthen resilience amid economic uncertainties.

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Sustainable Economic Growth

South Africa’s hotel sector demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience in early 2025, raking in over R4.2 billion and signalling a robust recovery aligned with tourism expansion. Provincial leaders such as the Western Cape and Gauteng drive this momentum, supported by rising occupancy and increased pricing. Meanwhile, emerging regions and independent hotels contribute to sector diversity.

Despite challenges including economic pressures and seasonal fluctuations, the sector’s positive outlook remains supported by strategic innovation and evolving traveler preferences. Continued investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and customer experience is imperative to sustain growth and solidify South Africa as a premier tourism destination.