Tourism growing despite crime
2002-11-22 22:34
Jorisna Bonthuys
Cape Town - There was a sharp increase in the number of foreign tourists who visited South Africa during the first nine months of the year, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism announced on Friday.
From January to September, 13.9% more foreigners (approximately 1.23 million people) visited the country compared to the same period in 2001.
Minister of Environmental Affairs, Valli Moosa, said the increase exceeded all expectations and can be attributed to South Africa's status as a safe destination that offers value for money.
The tourism industry is especially excited about the increase in the number of British visitors. This sector of the highly sought after European market grew by 19% during the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year.
About two thirds of foreign visitors to South Africa came from Europe. A total of 35% of them were from Britain.
Compared to last year's figures, 18.4% more Europeans visited South Africa between January and September this year.
Visitors from Asia increased by 13.4%. Visitors from China increased by 20.4%.
Experts say the number of Chinese visitors to the country is expected to increase further over the next few months. China recently added South Africa to its list of destinations of choice.
This is good news for the local tourism industry, according to experts from Grant Thornton Kessel and Feinstein, an auditors firm involved in the tourism industry.
Moosa said visitors from Saudi Arabia and America also increased by 37.6% and 3.3% respectively, despite the fact that fewer Americans travelled abroad after the September 11 attacks last year.
About 90% of the tourists who visited South Africa, came from 21 countries, and 60% of the total number of visitors were from only five countries, all of them African states. Experts warned that the African market should not be neglected.
These figures came in the wake of recent reports that a British tourist had been raped near Sabie. Travel agents say tourists who want to visit South Africa "asked questions", but do not cancel their travel.
Send e-mail to reporter
- Die Burger