President Cyril Ramaphosa (State of the Nation Address), 07 February 2019


21 Million Tourists Target

During SONA last year, we spoke at length about the huge potential that exists for the expansion of the tourism sector.

Our concerted efforts to market South Africa as a prime destination for tourists has yielded positive results, with significant annual growth in the number of foreign visitors.

In the past year we had 10 million tourists who came to our country.

We intend to raise this to 21 million by 2030, targeting, among others, the largest and fastest growing markets of India and China, as well as strong markets on our continent.

We will deepen the partnership between government and business to realise this vision.

Introducing the eVisa

Our highest priority this year will be on the introduction of a world class eVisa regime.

This, combined with enhanced destination marketing and measures to strengthen tourism safety, will create the conditions for the growth we envisage, and the jobs and opportunities that will follow.


African Tourist Arrivals

In 2018 African land and air arrivals were key to the growth of SA tourism with air arrivals from the continent showing a healthy 6,8% rise. Increase in arrivals from Angola (38%), DRC (19,9%) and Ghana (17,8%) had stimulated this growth.

In 2017 the ten leading countries in terms of the number of tourists visiting South Africa from outside SADC were Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Gabon, Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Congo, Cameroon, and Côte dʹIvoire.

Nigerian Visitors

While Nigeria comprised nearly 30% of tourists arriving in South Africa from outside Southern Africa, it was one of six countries that showed a year-on-year decrease. In 2018 Nigeria visitor numbers were once again down by 22% as compared with the same period in 2017.

Nigeria numbers closed at about 50,000 arrivals; that’s based on nationality of the passports. If traveling with Nigerian passport, SA is able to capture that, however, they realise there are other people that travel with other passports such as British and American documents. However, South African Airways are able to share statistics. For instance, SAA in Nigeria managed about 108,000 individual passengers between January 2017 and December to South Africa.

Nice Ndebele gear.

ranch2000:
Nice Ndebele gear.

Lagos consul is nightmare. They still have my passport. eVisa better. But changed my mind bout SA.

SensorVee:


Lagos consul is nightmare. They still have my passport. eVisa better. But changed my mind bout SA.

U should reconsider . SA always exceeds people's expectations in terms of tourist offerings. Which places did u have in mind?

Where is the first photo of mountains with River in the middle. It is super nice... Wow...

SillySeason:
Where is the first photo of mountains with River in the middle. It is super nice... Wow...

It's the Blyde River Canyon in the Mpumalanga province around the Kruger National Park. This is in the East of the country. It's the 3rd biggest canyon in the world after the US and Namibia. It's one of the most visited places in the country and u can actually hike, picnic and do some safari while there. There's a place called "Gods-Window" and the views are breathtaking.

TMKsouth:


U should reconsider . SA always exceeds people's expectations in terms of tourist offerings. Which places did u have in mind?

Johannesburg Pretorai Sandton soweto

Durban beaches rock!

TMKsouth:


It's the Blyde River Canyon in the Mpumalanga province around the Kruger National Park. This is in the East of the country. It's the 3rd biggest canyon in the world after the US and Namibia. It's one of the most visited places in the country and u can actually hike, picnic and do some safari while there. There's a place called "Gods-Window" and the views are breathtaking.

Wow that awesome I thought it was Cape town I like nature very much. I want to come study in SÀ university of Pretoria next year. Is it close to this place

SillySeason:


Wow that awesome I thought it was Cape town I like nature very much. I want to come study in SÀ university of Pretoria next year. Is it close to this place

More than 300 kilometres/3 hours. Kruger Park is the one shaded in green on the map below.

TMKsouth:


More than 300 kilometres/3 hours. Kruger Park is the one shaded in green on the map below.

Thank you my brother

SensorVee:


Johannesburg Pretorai Sandton soweto

Great shopping and dining. Plus many heritage sites, e.g. archaeological, cultural and apartheid. Nice casinos too and parks.

More Jo'burg

TMKsouth:
More Jo'burg

Beautiful city I would pay a visit one of these days....

TMKsouth:
Gold Reef City Theme Park, Johannesburg.

I totally love Gold Reef. Anaconda is the best!!!

TMKsouth:
Gold Reef City Theme Park, Johannesburg.

My kinda thing - ADVENTURE

TMKsouth:


Great shopping and dining. Plus many heritage sites, e.g. archaeological, cultural and apartheid. Nice casinos too and parks.

Thank you I want to learn more about the history

They are inviting Nigerians so they can come spend Naira in SA

lonlytroy:
They are inviting Nigerians so they can come spend Naira in SA

The whole world is invited.

I hope xenophobia won't work against this?

OkaNaUbe:
I hope xenophobia won't work against this?

Seriously Nigerian are only ones stuck on this xenophobia thing other countries understand South Africa. The country is suffering too many illegal foreigners taking cheap jobs and doing crime. B4 foreigners SA don't have high crimes. Look at what Op said SA is popular and Nigerian must stop jealousy and saying xenophobia

In 2018 African land and air arrivals were key to the growth of SA tourism with air arrivals from the continent showing a healthy 6,8% rise. Increase in arrivals from Angola (38%), DRC (19,9%) and Ghana (17,8%) had stimulated this growth

TMKsouth:
Gold Reef City Theme Park, Johannesburg.

Op here is a popular place here in Durban

uShaka Marine World

PowerpuffGirlz:


Op here is a popular place here in Durban

uShaka Marine World

Thanx PPGirlz, nice seaside lifestyle. Just one of the things we don't have up here in landlocked Gauteng.

TMKsouth:


Thanx PPGirlz, nice seaside lifestyle. Just one of the things we don't have up here in landlocked Gauteng.

Should take a Shot'Left mo often

Cape of Good Hope - the real locals

TMKsouth:
Cape of Good Hope - the real locals

Lol cape baboons will rob u straight up in broad daylight

ranch2000:


Lol cape baboons will rob u straight up in broad daylight

They are accustomed to our food dude coz tourists feel the urge to feed them, bloody tourists! just kidding y'all

TMKsouth:
The wild side of Cape Town

True paradise, in Nigeria we kill and eat everything, those penguins and seals will not last here just walking the streets, and now we have nothing to show for tourism