Toursists flock to South Africa
BUFFALO DREAM RANCH, KLERKSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA, 24 MAY 2016: A group of Rhino at a supplementary feeding site at the ranch of the worlds largest rhino breeder. According to the Ranche vet, Dr Michelle Otto, these feeding sites are meant to supplement the rhino diet in this time of drought, their main food source remains the grasslands on the farm. John Hume has close to 1400 Rhino on his property and they are constantly monitored by Dr Otto and by Hume’s Security teams. Hume’s running costs are close to 5 million Rand a month, around $330, 000.00 per month. He is a long time proponent of legalizing the Rhino horn trade and is one of the biggest influences in trying to get CITES to change their trade stance. Hume is reputed to have more than 5 tons of rhino horn in secure locations. This would be worth around $40, 000, 000.00 on the Asian market at current prices. There are many supporters of the pro-trade agreement, with more than 1300 rhino likely to be poached per annum in this current crisis. Critics of trade state that legalizing horn trade would create loopholes that would exacerbate the killing of rhino. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images for National Geographic Magazine.)

Home » TOURISTS are flocking back to South Africa

TOURISTS are flocking back to South Africa

Latest figures for 2023 show tourists are flocking back to South Africa, with exciting new markets unlocking all the time.

By Ray Leathern
11-11-23 10:03
in Featured
Toursists flock to South Africa
BUFFALO DREAM RANCH, KLERKSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA, 24 MAY 2016: A group of Rhino at a supplementary feeding site at the ranch of the worlds largest rhino breeder. According to the Ranche vet, Dr Michelle Otto, these feeding sites are meant to supplement the rhino diet in this time of drought, their main food source remains the grasslands on the farm. John Hume has close to 1400 Rhino on his property and they are constantly monitored by Dr Otto and by Hume’s Security teams. Hume’s running costs are close to 5 million Rand a month, around $330, 000.00 per month. He is a long time proponent of legalizing the Rhino horn trade and is one of the biggest influences in trying to get CITES to change their trade stance. Hume is reputed to have more than 5 tons of rhino horn in secure locations. This would be worth around $40, 000, 000.00 on the Asian market at current prices. There are many supporters of the pro-trade agreement, with more than 1300 rhino likely to be poached per annum in this current crisis. Critics of trade state that legalizing horn trade would create loopholes that would exacerbate the killing of rhino. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images for National Geographic Magazine.)

Tourists are flocking back to South Africa, based on year-to-date figures so far, reports The Citizen. According to the latest StatsSA numbers for August 2023, there have been healthy inbound travel figures already this year. And that bodes well for a thriving tourism season over the coming months.

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Looking at the figures in more detail, from January to July 2023, 4.8 million international tourists visited South Africa. This represents a 70.6% increase compared with the same period last year. This signals that tourists are flocking back to South Africa in a big way since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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TOURISTS ARE FLOCKING BACK TO SOUTH AFRICA

tourists are flocking back to South Africa
Good news is tourists are flocking back to South Africa in 2023. Photo: pixabay

The highest number of international tourists were from the United Kingdom, Germany, the US and the Netherlands. Encouragingly, however, experts within tourism and hospitality are reporting an increase in holidaymakers from the Middle East and India.

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This is no accident, as South African Tourism and Emirates airlines agreed to a memorandum to market tourism to South Africa within the Emirates network. Middle Eastern tourists are spending roughly 15 to 20 days in South Africa, which is above average.

BRICS TRAVEL

tourists are flocking back to South Africa
New flight routes into SA from BRICS countries.

Another source of tourists flocking to South Africa is through a new sixth-largest foreign market, India. Stats SA reports a 200% surge in travellers from the subcontinent over the last year. Once again, this can be credited to an SA Tourism initiative called ‘Learn South Africa’ that started in New Delhi last year.

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International flights to South Africa have increased since the COVID pandemic. With notable additions as follows:

  • South African Airways to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • Virgin Atlantic to London, United Kingdom.
  • Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, China.
  • Edelweiss (Swiss) to Zurich.
  • Saudia Airlines to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Lufthansa to Munich coming soon
  • United Airlines to Chicago also coming soon.
  • Ethiopian Airlines to increase to 35 flights a week,

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Are you excited that tourists are flocking back to South Africa? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.

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