Tourist arrivals into SA shoot up

20 September 2016 - 02:00 By TMG Digital
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Cape Town's V&A Waterfront.jpg
Cape Town's V&A Waterfront.jpg
Image: Cape Town Tourism

South Africa has recorded a 12 percent increase in tourist arrivals.

A total of 822‚416 tourist arrivals were recorded for July 2016‚ which is an increase of 12.2% compared to the same month of the previous year‚ the tourism department says. This is equal to 89‚525 more visitors.

This brings the total tourist arrivals for the period January-July 2016‚ to 5,791,504 (nearly 5.8 million)‚ which is an increase of 14.9% (751‚388) compared to the same period of the previous year.

“We are greatly encouraged that all regions are experiencing an increase in tourist arrivals‚” said Victor Tharage‚ Director-General of the Department of Tourism. " This can only serve to motivate both government and the tourism industry to increase its efforts in terms of marketing the country as a value for money destination‚ ensuring that once tourists arrive‚ they receive excellent service across the board.”

When comparing July 2016 with July 2015‚ the increase in tourist arrivals for the following regions are: Asia increased by 47.7%‚ followed by Middle East (35.1)‚ North America (26.1%)‚ Central and South America (24.4%)‚ Europe (17.5%)‚ Australasia (16.4%). The least increase was recorded in Africa including Indian Ocean Islands (9%).

All South Africa’s major overseas markets performed well in July 2016‚ the department statement said. Amongst traditional overseas markets‚ the USA grew by 19.8%‚ while Germany increased by 21.1% and the UK by 11.7% from January-July 2016. Non-traditional source markets such as India (28.1%) and China (63.7%) also experienced growth during the same period‚ the department noted.

Lesotho was the largest African source market‚ while the USA was the largest overseas source market for South Africa.

Compared to July 2015‚ the Netherlands moved from the 9th to 8th as a source market replacing Namibia. China replaced India by moving from 16th place to become South Africa’s 15th source market. Belgium replaced Italy‚ becoming South Africa’s 18th source market.

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