Cape Town — International tourists are flocking back to South Africa, with arrivals figures jumping more than 50% in the first 11 months this year compared to the same period in 2022.
According to the Statistics South Africa figures, the country welcomed 7.6 million international visitors from January to December this year.
The Department of Tourism said that while recovery towards pre-Covid-19 numbers was encouraging, the latest figures were still 17.6% lower compared to the same period in 2019.
“The numbers show that the tourism sector is successfully driving travel to South Africa while shaping cultural exchanges and contributing to inclusive economic growth,” the department said.
Meanwhile, SA Tourism’s acting chief marketing officer, Bronwen Auret, told 702 radio station that sport was doing its bit to attract tourists.
“Winning the Rugby World Cup intrigues potential visitors to find out about the amazing people, place, and destination that we are,” she said, adding that the South Africa Seven Rugby tournament in December saw about 80,000 tourists descend on Cape Town.
She described the possibility of South Africa co-hosting the Cricket World Cup in 2027 as “absolutely tremendous”.
During the first 11 months of 2023, South Africa welcomed 5.8 million visitors from the rest of Africa, marking a significant 75.5% of all arrivals, compared to the same period in 2022.
The tourism department noted the exceptional interest in South Africa from African tourists, especially from Kenya.
The Kenya market recorded a 94.2% surge, reaching 37 414 arrivals in South Africa compared to the same period last year.
Minister of Tourism, Patricia De Lille, said Kenya’s “remarkable” performance, could be attributed to the strategic decision by government to simplify the visa regime as well, as targeted and effective insights-driven marketing campaigns.
“Overall, through focused marketing, various collaborations and leveraging various strategic opportunities by the Department of Tourism, South African Tourism and the broader tourism sector, we have been able to achieve these very impressive results on the continent,” she said.
Kenya is now the fastest growing source of tourists to South Africa.
All it took was removing visas and direct flights to Cape Town & Joburg, SA's tourism minister Patricia De Lille told me recently in Kigali pic.twitter.com/RD6vmWxxIw
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) December 22, 2023
Meanwhile, the US remained the leading international source market and the UK was still the leading European source market
From January to November, the US accounted for 320 948 arrivals, marking a 39.5% increase over 2022. With only 5 000 fewer tourists at 315 054, the UK market showed a 30.4% rise in tourists to South Africa.
Tourists from Russia also seem to have discovered South Africa, with that country contributing 25 116 arrivals, showing “dramatic growth” of 83.9%.
In the same period, the Asian markets also showed significant growth, with a total 182 497 arrivals from the region, growing 72.6% when compared to the same period last year.
Tourists from China, saw a massive 215.7% surge, amounting to 34 669 arrivals.
“The reopening of the Chinese market and the initiation of direct flight routes have catalysed a resurgence in arrivals, highlighting the vast potential and significance of this market to South African tourism,” De Lille said.
“I am committed to working with all partners and government colleagues to unlock barriers such as visa regulations, safety concerns and limited air access and airlift so that we can grow our sector and meaningfully contribute to our country’s economy,” De Lille said.
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