JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 6 August, 2026 – As South Africa approaches its summer travel season and the busy December holiday period, Owen Manhire, Director of Ralmed, is encouraging international travellers visiting South Africa and the wider African continent to prioritise comprehensive medical and travel insurance.

Unexpected illness, injury or a medical emergency can occur at any stage of a journey. Appropriate insurance coverage can help travellers access quality medical care promptly while reducing the financial and logistical challenges associated with treatment away from home.

South Africa continues to experience strong tourism growth. According to Statistics South Africa, the country welcomed 5,584,473 international tourists between January and June 2026, representing a 12.3% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

In June 2026 alone, 823,365 overnight visitors arrived in the country, an increase of 9.8% year-on-year. December remains one of South Africa’s busiest tourism months, with 997,165 overnight tourists visiting during December 2025. Further growth is anticipated as the 2026/27 summer high season approaches.

South Africa’s Tourism Appeal Continues to Grow

South Africa’s enduring appeal lies in the exceptional diversity of its destinations, attractions and cultural experiences.

Cape Town attracts international visitors with Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, the Cape Winelands and access to the dramatic scenery of the Garden Route. Johannesburg offers important cultural and historical attractions, including the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and sites connected to the legacy of Nelson Mandela.

Robben Island remains an internationally recognised symbol of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid and Mandela’s long imprisonment.

Further afield, Kruger National Park and the country’s many private game reserves provide world-renowned wildlife experiences. The Drakensberg mountains offer spectacular landscapes and outdoor activities, while Durban combines beaches, cultural diversity and a vibrant coastal atmosphere.

Together, South Africa’s cities, natural wonders, wildlife reserves and sites of political history continue to position the country as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations.

However, Owen Manhire noted that while most travellers prepare carefully for accommodation, transport and leisure activities, medical contingencies are sometimes overlooked.

“Sickness and injury rarely announce themselves in advance,” said Owen Manhire. “A traveller may develop an unexpected illness while exploring Cape Town, Johannesburg or Kruger National Park, suffer an accident or require specialised treatment while in South Africa.”

Manhire continued:

“Having appropriate medical and travel insurance can make a critical difference. It allows patients to access care promptly and enables medical service providers such as Ralmed to focus on treatment and recovery rather than delays caused by funding or administrative complications.”

Information about Ralmed’s support services for international travellers and patients is available at https://ralmed.com/.

Supporting International Travellers and Medical Patients

Established in 2013 and headquartered in Sandton, Ralmed operates as a broad-based medical services company under the leadership of Owen Manhire.

The company’s services include:

• Emergency and non-emergency ambulance transportation by road and air

• Community medical response services

• First-aid and occupational health training

• On-site medical clinics

• Laboratory services

• Access to a network of hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation facilities

• Medical funding coordination and claims administration

A central area of Ralmed’s work involves supporting patients who travel to South Africa for specialised medical care.

The company assists with medical insurance coordination, claims administration and related treatment logistics, helping international patients navigate the financial and administrative processes associated with receiving care in another country.

Travellers who become ill or require medical attention while visiting South Africa’s cities, wildlife reserves or historical destinations may be able to access Ralmed’s services through their existing travel or medical insurance policies.

Ralmed works with insurers, administrators and healthcare providers to coordinate treatment, manage claims and assist with continued care or medical repatriation where required.

Under the direction of Owen Manhire, the company aims to ensure that insured international visitors receive appropriate support without unnecessary administrative delays.

What Travellers Should Check Before Departure

Manhire advised travellers to review their insurance policies carefully before leaving their home country.

“Travellers should confirm that their policies include emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and medical evacuation where required,” he said. “They should also check whether any planned activities, pre-existing medical conditions or specialised procedures are covered.”

Policies may differ significantly in terms of exclusions, treatment limits, approved healthcare providers and evacuation benefits. Travellers should therefore understand their coverage and carry the necessary policy and emergency contact information throughout their journey.

“Comprehensive cover provides peace of mind and enables Ralmed to concentrate on coordinating and delivering appropriate care rather than resolving unexpected funding gaps,” Manhire added.

As visitor numbers increase ahead of South Africa’s summer season, Ralmed’s message to international tourists remains clear: suitable medical and travel insurance should be considered an essential part of preparing for a trip to South Africa or elsewhere on the African continent.

About Ralmed

Ralmed is a Sandton-based medical services company established in 2013 and led by Director Owen Manhire.

The company provides a range of healthcare solutions, including emergency and non-emergency medical transport, community-based medical care, first-aid and occupational health training, clinical services, laboratory support and medical aid administration.

Ralmed supports local communities, international travellers and patients visiting South Africa for specialised medical treatment, with particular expertise in coordinating healthcare services, insurance funding and claims administration.

For more information, visit https://ralmed.com/.

Media Contact
Company Name: Ralmed
Contact Person: Owen Manhire
Email: Send Email
Phone: 086 1725 633
Country: South Africa
Website: https://ralmed.com/