The total number of foreign travellers who visited South Africa during May was 641 700 — up 15,1% compared with May 2005, according to data released by Statistics South Africa on Thursday.
In addition, the number of foreign travellers who departed from South Africa in May was 582 120 -‒ 13,5% more than during May 2005.
During May this year, the most common mode of travel used by foreign travellers arriving in South Africa was road (74,4%), followed by air (23,3%).
Of the total number of foreign travellers arriving by air, 84,7% arrived through Johannesburg International Airport.
For the total number of foreign travellers departing from South Africa, road was the most common mode of travel (74%), followed by air (25.9%).
During May 130 637 overseas travellers visited the country — an increase of 5,6% compared with May 2005. Air arrivals accounted for 87,7% of these overseas visitors. The number of travellers who arrived in the country from mainland Africa was 508 103 — a rise of 18,9% year on year. Most of these tourists arrived by road (90,7%).
During May, the number of travellers from the United Kingdom visiting South Africa was 25 121 (19,2%), making it the leading country of origin of overseas travellers.
This was followed by travellers from the United States (16,4%) and Germany (10,3%).
The top eight countries in mainland Africa from which travelers arriving in the country came were Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Malawi, Stats SA noted. ‒ I-Net Bridge