APA-Johannesburg (South Africa) Visitors from fellow African countries accounted for at least 70 percent of tourist arrivals in South Africa in 2022, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille revealed on Monday.
Speaking at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa meeting in Cape Town, de Lille said fellow African countries contributed over four million of the 5.7 million visitors who came to South Africa last year.
“It is encouraging that arrivals from other African countries continue to be our most substantial source of arrivals, with just over four million arrivals during this period,” de Lille said.
She was confident that South Africa was on a positive path towards a solid tourism sector rebound, encouraged by the 152 percent rise in arrivals last year compared to 2021.
Airline traffic was on a rebound after the industry was battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, she added.
WTM Africa is a leading global event for the travel industry which brings together experts from around the world to discuss developments in the sector.
NM/jn/APA