By Sello Lentsoane | Johannesburg

South African Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille said that some international tourists traveling to South Africa via Gulf hubs, such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar, have canceled flights over safety concerns.

Tensions in the Middle East have led to an increase in jet fuel costs and affected international arrivals to South Africa, particularly those traveling through the Gulf region, an official said.

Speaking at a webinar on the state of readiness for Africa's Travel Indaba 2026, scheduled from May 11 to 14, South African Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille said that some international tourists traveling to South Africa via Gulf hubs, such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar, have canceled flights over safety concerns.

"One of the impacts of the tensions in the Middle East has been the increase in the cost of jet fuel, leading to an increase in the cost of airfares," de Lille said, adding that South Africa has been calling for peace and a ceasefire in the region.

                    A man poses for a photo with Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, on Oct. 20, 2025. (Han Xu)

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, chief executive officer of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, told journalists that the conflict has disrupted travel patterns and negatively affected the country's tourism sector.

He said airlines are not operating at full capacity, and reduced seat availability on routes to South Africa is affecting the sector.

"Everyone in the tourism industry would like to see the situation resolved for the industry to be stable," he added.