SOUTH Africa has emerged in 25th position of the World Tourism Organisation’s list of the 40 most popular destinations. Ten years ago it ranked 55th, and it is the only sub-Saharan country to make the top 40 in the latest report. The WTO says the country has six million foreign visitors a year, placing it well ahead of Japan and Australia with four million each, according to newly released statistics based on 1998 data. Heading the list, compiled by the Madrid-based WTO, are France, Spain and the US, in that order. Brazil and Romania are at the bottom, 39th and 40th.