Record number of tourists visit SA
10 January 2005
South African tourism has posted record quarterly figures for the fourth time running. The number of foreign arrivals in SA grew to 1 616 027 between April and June 2005, an increase of 6.9% over the same period in 2004, representing the highest second-quarter arrivals figure in the history of the country's tourist statistics.
Announcing the figures in Johannesburg in December, South African Tourism CEO Moeketsi Mosola said that total foreign direct spend by tourists increased by 19.7%, from R8.6-billion in the second quarter of 2004 to to R10.3-billion in the same period in 2005.
In addition, he said, more than 8 million domestic trips were undertaken during the same period - with total domestic direct spending of R2.93-billion - reflecting the significance and potential of the country's domestic travel market.
Driven by Africa, the Americas
Tourism growth in the quarter was driven by Africa and the
Americas, with arrivals from Europe remaining steady and only Asia recording losses.
Arrivals from the Americas have shown consistent annual growth of 8% since 2002. Comparing the second quarter of 2005 with the same period in 2004, South Africa welcomed over 5 000 more visitors from the United States, as well as increased numbers of Brazilian and Canadian travellers.
Increased arrivals out of Africa came from both air and land markets. An improved visa regime saw 35% more arrivals by air from Nigeria; with Virgin Nigeria coming on line at the end of 2005, still more growth is expected from this market.
In African land markets, the most significant growth came from neighbouring countries. While arrivals from Botswana dropped by 10%, there was 53% growth out of Mozambique and 62% growth out of Zimbabwe. Arrivals from Mozambique have increased since the visa regime was resolved in 2004, and with the border post at Ressano Garcia now open 24 hours, this trend is
expected to continue.
Africa also drove the increase in total foreign direct spend. "While some tourism product owners might question the value of this expenditure to their own businesses, it important to understand that this huge financial injection brings value to the overall South African economy and impacts significantly on the key issue of job creation across all sectors," Mosola said.
While second-quarter arrivals from Europe were flat - this quarter being the lowest valley in the seasonal pattern of travel out of Europe in general - European arrivals were up by 2.5% for the year to date. Significantly, there was growth in arrivals from France for the first time since 2003. In addition, Europe was the second-highest contributor to total foreign direct spend by tourists.
Second-quarter growth out of Australasia was largely due to two key markets, Australia (up by 2% over the second quarter of 2004), and Japan (up by 21%).
There was, however, a 4% decline
in arrivals from China and India, with the former attributed to negative reporting on safety and security in South Africa following a number of crimes involving Chinese people.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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