South Africa sees major surge in foreign tourist arrivals

BREAKING NEWSDecember 28, 2023 at 2:46 PM UTC

Statistics South Africa's recent release of international arrival figures for January to November 2023 indicates a notable upswing in the momentum of South Africa's tourism sector. The total international tourist arrivals reached 7.6 million, showcasing a remarkable 51.8% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

While this recovery toward pre-COVID-19 levels is promising, the performance is still 17.6% lower when compared to the same period in 2019. Nevertheless, the data suggests that the tourism sector is effectively driving travel to South Africa, fostering cultural exchanges, and contributing to inclusive economic growth.

In the first eleven months of 2023, South Africa welcomed 5.8 million visitors from the rest of the African continent, constituting a significant 75.5% of all arrivals, a substantial increase from the same period in 2022.

Points clés à retenir

South Africa's tourism industry stands out as a substantial avenue for growth, holding the potential to generate significant employment due to its high level of labor intensity. The sector's importance is underscored by its strong connections to other key economic sectors, which typically have low import intensity. To fully unlock the potential of the tourism industry and ensure sustainable growth, there is a pressing need for a responsive, innovative, and compassionate set of policy reforms in addition to collaborations like a Google deal. Elsewhere on the continent, Notably, Zimbabwe and Kenya stood out for their remarkable growth within the African region. Zimbabwe experienced an exceptional 77.5% increase in tourist arrivals, totaling 1.9 million. Similarly, Kenya recorded a remarkable 94.2% surge, reaching 37,414 arrivals from January to November 2023 compared to the corresponding period last year.

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