Tourism in South Africa

Table Mountain seen from the other side of Table Bay at sunset

South Africa is a popular tourist destination and the industry accounts for a substantial amount of the country's revenue. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the tourism industry directly contributed ZAR 102 billion to South African GDP in 2012, and supports 10.3% of jobs in the country.[1] South Africa offers both domestic and international tourists a wide variety of options, among others the picturesque natural landscape and game reserves, diverse cultural heritage and highly regarded wines. Some of the most popular destinations include several national parks, such as the expansive Kruger National Park in the north of the country, the coastlines and beaches of the KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces, and the major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

The majority of tourist arrivals in South Africa are from neighbouring Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, accounting for more than 73% of arrivals in 2011. Another important source of revenue is domestic tourism, which contributes 52% of total tourism consumption.[2]

Attractions

Biodiversity and ecotourism

Elephant family at an artificial waterhole in the Kruger National Park

South Africa is ranked sixth out of the world's seventeen megadiverse countries[3] and is home to a large variety of animal life. Among the large mammals found in the northern bushveld include lions, leopards, cheetahs, white rhinoceroses, blue wildebeest, kudus, impalas, hyenas, hippopotamuses and giraffes. A significant extent of the bushveld exists in the north-east, including the Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa, and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The Kruger National Park, established in 1926, is one of the most visited national parks in the country, with a total of 1 429 904 visitors in the 2010/11 period.[4]

The country is also particularly rich in plant diversity, with a wide variety of biomes found across the country. These include the grasslands in the Highveld, the succulent Karoo in central South Africa, and the endemic fynbos biome, constituting the majority of the area and plant life in the Cape floristic region of the Western Cape. This rare vegetation is protected as part of the Table Mountain National Park (which also includes the iconic flat-topped Table Mountain), which was the most-visited national park in South Africa in 2010/11, with a total of 2 173 548 visitors.[4]

Ecotourism

A vineyard in Franschhoek, Western Cape

It is difficult to know if there is regulation of the term 'ecotourism' as well as what a foundation/association/company needs to do to fall into the category of 'eco-travel'. However, there is a non-profit association that represents the private sector of the "incoming tourism industry in South Africa" (which is a large group) called the South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA), they are "dedicated to providing and maintaining the highest possible standards in the tourism industry within South Africa." (SATSA, 2007) SATSA is focused on the accountability, integrity, and quality control of the tourism industry in South Africa as well as with the companies and associations they are connected to. In addition to SATSA, the website responsibletravel.com partnered with The Metro, World Travel Market and Travel Trade Gazette Magazine have established the World Responsible Tourism Awards. The goal of the award is to "recognize individuals, companies and organizations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and are providing a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation." (www.worldresponsibletourismawards.com, 2001)

Cultural attractions

In addition to its numerous natural attractions, South Africa also boasts numerous attractions of cultural significance. These include the fossil-bearing caves forming part of the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, the ruins of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in northern Limpopo, the wine routes of the Western Cape, and various historical sites in the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg (such as Robben Island, the Castle of Good Hope and Soweto township).

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Eight South African sites are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal.

Visa policy

  South Africa
  Visa-free access to South Africa for 90 days
  Visa-free access to South Africa for 30 days
  Visa-free access to South Africa for diplomatic, official and service passports
  Visa required to enter South Africa and for landside/airside transit

Visitors to South Africa must obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries, in which case they get what is called a "Port of Entry Visa". Visitors who require a visa must apply in person and provide biometric data.[6]

Statistics

The OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is one of the main ports of entry into the country

In 2014, a total of 9 549 236 tourists (overnight visitors) entered South Africa, indicating an increase of 0,1% from the 9 536 568 tourists recorded in 2013. The highest number of arrivals was recorded in January of that year, while the lowest number was recorded in June. A vast majority (76,2%) of tourists arriving in the country were residents of SADC countries, 1.9% were from 'other' African countries and 23.6% were residents of countries overseas.

Foreign arrivals by year

Foreign traveller arrivals (2000-2015)[7]
Year Foreign arrivals

(in thousands)

 Year Foreign Arrivals

(in thousands)

2000 6 001 2008 9 729
2001 5 908 2009 10 098
2002 6 550 2010 11 575
2003 6 640 2011 12 496
2004 6 815 2012 13 796
2005 7 518 2013 15 155
2006 8 509 2014 15 092
2007 9 208 2015 15 052

Tourist arrivals by country

Tourist arrivals of Top 10 SADC countries[8] Tourist arrivals of Top 10 overseas countries[8]
Ranking Country

of origin

 Visitor arrivals

2014

 % Total

arrivals

 Ranking Country

of origin

 Visitor arrivals

2014

 % Total

arrivals

1  Zimbabwe 2 143 716 30.9 1  United Kingdom 401 914 17.8
2  Lesotho 1 501 642 21.5 2  United States 309 255 13.8
3  Mozambique 1 283 016 17.0 3  Germany 274 571 12.3
4  Swaziland 918 490 13.3 4  France 131 502 5.9
5  Botswana 555 590 8.0 5  Netherlands 131 287 5.8
6  Namibia 211 453 2.6 6  Australia 111 213 5.0
7  Zambia 176 972 2.4 7  India 85 639 3.6
8  Malawi 166 964 2.4 8  Chile 82 905 3.6
9  Angola 53 592 0.7 9  Canada 60 544 2.7
10  COD 29 800 0.4 10  Italy 58 605 2.6

References

  1. ↑ "Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2013 South Africa" (PDF). WTTC. March 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "South Africa's tourism industry". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "Biodiversity of the world by countries". Institutoaqualung.com.br. Archived from the original on 2010-11-01. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  4. 1 2 "SANParks Annual Report - 2010/11" (PDF).
  5. ↑ "South Africa - Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List". UNESCO. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  6. ↑ New visa rules will hurt tourism: DA
  7. ↑ Tourism 2015. statssa.gov.za (4 April 2016)
  8. 1 2 "Statistics SA: Tourism 2014" (PDF).
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for South Africa.
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