"South Africa offers travellers unparalleled beauty and
affordability, making it an irresistible destination," De Lille said when
addressing a media briefing on the sidelines of Africa's Travel Indaba, which
is underway in Durban.
De Lille said the sector is geared to catapult inbound
tourism numbers beyond pre-COVID-19 levels.
"Achieving this monumental goal requires a united
front: government, private sector, and all tourism stakeholders joining forces
to redefine the travel experience in our beloved country."
She said 2022 heralded a resurgence, with nearly 5.8 million
visitors gracing South Africa's shores, including four million from Africa.
This was a 152.6% increase from 2021.
"We're not quite at the 10 million arrivals of 2019 but
rest assured, our tireless collaboration with the private sector and Africa
will take us there and beyond in no time.
"As the world reawakens, tourists are flocking back to
South Africa, enticed by our unparalleled natural beauty and the warmth of our
people. We are broadcasting a clear message - South Africa is open for tourism,
welcoming business, and eagerly awaiting travelers from across Africa and the
globe."
De Lille said the world is rediscovering South Africa, and
will that will not only reach but will surpass pre-COVID numbers.
"Our determination and unity will light the way to a
brighter future for South African tourism. From a domestic perspective, we have
seen an incredible resilience, with Q1 2023 performance surpassing pre-pandemic
levels and those of Q1 2022," De Lille said.
De Lille said tourists from Europe contributed the most
spend of R10.8 billion, followed by Africa with a collective spend of R9.3
billion.
According to recent statistics, an impressive 2.1 million
visitors were recorded, a 102.5% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
The African continent led the way again, with 1.6 million
arrivals, followed by Europe's 387 000 and the Americas' 104 000 visitors.
De Lille said a significant driver of these remarkable
figures is as a result of lifting of travel restrictions and affordability.
"After two years of restrictions and confinement,
travellers are eager to explore wide-open spaces, and South Africa offers these
in abundance," De Lille said.
Over 500 000 Zimbabwean travellers journeyed to South Africa
between January and March 2023 compared to 643 000 in the same period in 2019
and 173 000 in 2022.
Mozambique followed as the second-largest source market,
boasting over 354 000 arrivals between January and March 2023.
According to De Lille, South Africa offers a diverse range
of captivating destinations for travellers, with Gauteng taking the lead in
international arrivals, spend and bed nights.
International visitors tend to spend most of their nights in
the Western Cape, followed by Gauteng. The Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KZN and
the North West draw tourists to their unique charms.
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