South Africa’s Tourism is on the UP

PRETORIA – Tourism remains key to South Africa’s economic development strategy and the substantial growth in tourist arrivals is testament to how dedication to marketing ‘Destination SA’ is paying off.

Tourist arrival figures have gone up by 14.8% this year compared to the same period in 2015, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Tuesday.

The improvement in tourism statistics has been attributed to the work of the country’s more than 120 missions, which include South Africa’s embassies, high commissions and consulate generals, who worked together with Brand South Africa to improve the tourism arrival figures.

Statistics from the Department of Tourism in September showed that 822,416 tourist arrivals were recorded for July 2016, up by 89,525 tourist compared to the same month of the previous year.

There was an increase of 131,002 tourists in July 2016 compared to the same month in 2015. This brings the total tourist arrivals for the period January-July 2016 to 5,791,504, which is an increase of 751,388 compared to the same period of the previous year.

Minister Molewa said the growth in tourism was due in part to innovative marketing strategies and the tourism incentives that were given to small business. The operational environment for tourism has also improved.

“We have had an improvement of economic diplomacy, regional integration, peacekeeping and building resilience in our country’s economy,” Minister Molewa said.

She said it was encouraging that during the first months of 2016, about R39.3 billion in foreign direct spend in South Africa was achieved.

“The realisation of this kind of revenue sustains the local tourism economy. It also indicates that our country remains a popular destination for tourists inside South Africa, from the region and globally,” she said.

Minister Molewa said South Africa has enhanced its visibility on national and international trade, investment promotion and tourism platforms.

“This has yielded real and tangible results. For example, sales of manufactured value-added exports have increased by R1.2 billion, bringing the cumulative total for the year to R 3.8 billion.”

During the International Cooperation, Trade and Security Cluster briefing she also said that there is a decline in the rhino poaching figures thanks to the collective effort of the Cluster –  SAnews.gov.za