South African tourism statistics for 2006 show a 14,5% increase in tourism arrivals compared with 2005 figures, Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Tuesday.
”What we have achieved together is reflected in the exponential growth of South Africa’s tourism industry since our transition to democracy in 1994,” Van Schalkwyk told delegates at the African Business Tourism Conference in Sandton.
According to the statistics, South Africa had 765 675 more visitors in the first nine months of 2006 than in the first nine months of 2005.
”Over six million people — 6 055 726 — visited South Africa between January and September last year, suggesting that we are well on track to surpassing the annual record that we set in 2005,” Van Schalkwyk said in a speech prepared for the conference.
The largest source of growth was from Africa, with an increase of 18,3% in arrivals from the African continent.
Van Schalkwyk said there was also strong growth in arrivals from North America, with an increase of 9,7%, which represented almost 20 000 more visitors.
There was also a ”massive” 42,4% increase in visitors from the Russian Federation, 24,1% more visitors from Hungary and 17,4% more visitors from Finland, he said.
Van Schalkwyk said this showed that South Africa was successful at achieving broader market penetration on the European continent.
He said South Africa had also achieved a 4,5% increase in arrivals from Asia, in particular with 17,5% more visitors from India and ”excellent growth” in arrivals from Japan, Thailand and Singapore.
However, arrivals from China, Malaysia and the Philippines decreased.
Van Schalkwyk said growth in South African and sub-Saharan African tourism was driving overwhelmingly positive tourism performance on the continent.
”Over the past two years, Africa achieved the fastest growth rates of any major region in the world.”
However, Van Schalkwyk said South Africa’s business tourism sector still needed attention.
”On average, business travellers spend three times more than leisure travellers and up to 40% of business travellers return to a destination within five years,” he said.
Business tourists currently make up 5% of South Africa’s total tourism market, he added.
Tourism boost
Earlier this year, it was announced that South African Tourism (SAT) had signed a deal with BBC World to promote the country as a destination for international tourists.
The electronic marketing campaign takes place from February to July and will consist of advertisements, commercial presentations and online marketing in Europe, the United States and Africa, SAT said in a statement.
In May, BBC World will feature a South Africa direct week when it will focus on the region in key programmes.
The association makes sense as the BBC World’s feature programming will be able to reflect the experiences the country offers, said SAT chief marketing officer Kingsley Potter.
”Furthermore, the strength and prestige of the BBC World brand underscores South Africa’s growing reputation as a highly appealing, top-of-mind destination for travellers across the globe.”
The British broadcaster is committed to global travel and tourism, said BBC World airtime sales director Jonathan Howlett.
”BBC World is dedicated to maintaining its strong relationship with the African continent and is proud to be working with one of the region’s strongest brands,” he said. — Sapa