CAPE TOWN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille announced Tuesday that the country received a record high number of international arrivals in 2025, hailing tourism as a key driver of economic growth, investment, and job creation.

In a statement, the minister said the country welcomed 10.48 million international arrivals for the year 2025, a 17.6 percent increase compared to 2024.

De Lille highlighted that South Africa's global competitiveness was further recognized last year, with the country being named "Best Destination: Africa 2025" by the Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards.

She added that the Cabinet had endorsed the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, led by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

"The first priority is ease of access," said De Lille. "The Department of Home Affairs is implementing an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, starting with key markets including India, China, Mexico, and Indonesia, following a successful pilot during the G20 Summit."

According to her, the full rollout of the ETA system is projected to create between 80,000 and 100,000 jobs.

De Lille also stressed that tourist safety remains a critical focus, with 1,500 tourism monitors deployed nationally during the festive season, including over 400 supporting the Border Management Authority.

"Tourism currently sustains 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs, with one job created for approximately every 13 international arrivals," she said.

Last year, South Africa held the inaugural Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit, introduced the G20 Tourism Hackathon, and launched an artificial intelligence-powered travel assistant for North American travelers.

De Lille further noted the importance of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, emphasizing the country's strength as a business events destination.

"In the current financial year, 51 MICE bids were secured, generating an economic impact of 894.5 million rand (about 56 million U.S. dollars). Meetings Africa 2025 generated 690 million rand and supported 1,200 jobs, while Africa's Travel Indaba contributed over 610 million rand and supported more than 1,000 jobs," the minister said.

Following the successful hosting of the G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting, she pointed out that the World Economic Forum will host a Special Davos Meeting in South Africa next year.

"Tourism is working. Tourism is delivering. And tourism will remain a cornerstone of inclusive growth, investment, and job creation in South Africa," De Lille concluded. ■