Wine tourism bounces back strongly after Covid-19

In 2022, wine tourism contributed R9.3 billion to the South African economy, outperforming the 2019 contribution of R7.2 billion (prior to the Coronavirus pandemic).

Total winery turnover attributed to wine tourism grew from 14.7% in 2019 to 17.3% in 2022 underscoring its pivotal role as a revenue source.

During the same year, the South African wine and brandy industry contributed R56.5 billion to the country’s GDP, constituting 0.9% at market prices.

The industry’s activities also generated a fiscal contribution of R19.26 billion economy-wide, accounting for 1.23% of the nation’s total tax revenue in the 2022 financial year.

The industry is also a significant source of employment, creating 270 364 jobs across various sectors, accounting for 1.8% of national employment. Wine grape cultivation and winemaking activities spanning 89 000 hectares collectively support 85 962 jobs

This data was made available by non-profit industry gbody South Africa Wine following the Macro-Economic Impact Report by FTI Consulting, which measured the wine and brandy industry’s impact on the South African Economy for 2022. The FTI study was accompanied by a 2022 study by I and M Futureneer Advisors, measuring the economic contribution of wine tourism.