27 March 2007
South Africa's tourism sector continues to boom, with Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reporting a 6.4% increase in occupancy rates at the country's hotels, guest houses and other forms of accommodation in 2006 compared to 2005.
According to Stats SA's latest tourist accommodation survey, released earlier this month, the number of "stay unit nights" sold during 2006 increased from 17 227 200 in 2005 to 18 330 900 in 2006.
A stay unit is defined as a unit of accommodation available to be let out to guests, be it a hotel room or a powered site in a caravan park.
Stats SA's figures also indicate that income from accommodation totalled almost R1.3-billion in 2006, a 17.7% increase over 2005.
"This increase is partly due to an increase in the number of stay unit nights sold and the average income per stay unit night sold in 2006 compared to 2005," the statement explained.
The major contributors to the increase were hotels (10%), other accommodation (4.9%) and guesthouses and guest-farms (2.9%).
Source: BuaNews
