/ 13 April 2005

Number of visitors to SA in 2004 rise by 2,6%

The total number of foreign travellers who visited South Africa from mainland Africa, overseas and unspecified countries, rose by 2,6% y/y in 2004 to 6 815 202 compared with a 1,4% rise in 2003 to 6 640 095, Statistics South Africa said on Wednesday.

The total number of travellers who arrived in South Africa from mainland Africa during 2004 rose by 4,2% y/y to 4 707 384, while the number of overseas travellers visiting South Africa increased by just 0,4% y/y to 1 951 508.

In 2003 there were 6 640 095 foreign visitors to South Africa, a 1,4% rise on 2002. In 2003 the growth in overseas visitors slowed to 4,3%, while the increase from mainland Africa and unspecified countries eased to 0,2% from a 7,8% increase in 2002.

In 2002, foreign visitor numbers rose by 10,9% y/y, largely due to a 19,5% y/y surge in overseas visitors. – I-Net Bridge