Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that road fatalities during the 2025 Easter weekend were the lowest in three years, with most provinces recording fewer crashes. However, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape saw an increase.
Industry experts attribute the decline in accidents to fewer vehicles on the road, citing economic pressures and uncertainty around proposed VAT changes as key factors. The hospitality sector, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, also reported a significant drop in domestic tourism.
Brett Tungay, chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA), confirmed that while high-end establishments performed well, mid-range and budget accommodations saw poor turnout. He linked the downturn to political instability, high unemployment, and restrictive business regulations.
“Tourism is a luxury spend—when people feel uncertain, they cut back,” Tungay said, calling for policy reforms to ease business operations and boost investment.
With weak domestic demand, the industry now looks to the upcoming European summer season to revive foreign tourism. However, Tungay warned that South Africa must streamline regulations and improve economic conditions to unlock the sector’s full potential.
