APA-Durban (South Africa) South African tourism is on its way to full recovery following setbacks of the coronavirus pandemic two years ago, showing a 152.6% increase in arrivals in 2022, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has said in Durban.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the three-day South Africa’s Travel Indaba (meeting) on Wednesday, the minister said the increase in travellers meant that last year saw a resurgence of arrivals with nearly 5.8 million visitors gracing South Africa’s shores – including four million arrivals from Africa.
De Lille said tourists from Europe contributed the most spend of US$600 million, followed by a collective spend of US$517 million from African countries.
According to recent statistics, an impressive 2.1 million visitors were recorded in the first quarter of this year, a 102.5% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
“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,” de Lille said.
She added: “As the world reawakens, tourists are flocking back to South Africa, enticed by our unparalleled natural beauty and the warmth of our people.”
De Lille said the world was rediscovering South Africa, and her ministry expected arrivals to surpass pre-COVID numbers.
South Africa’s Travel Indaba ends on Thursday.
NM/jn/APA