Tourism Month is an annual celebration held in September to focus on the importance of tourism to the economy of South Africa.
Tourism Month provides the tourism industry with the opportunity for a heightened focus on the importance of tourism to the local economy.
It also serves as an opportunity to promote domestic tourism and create a culture of travel amongst South Africans.
Tourism Month aims to encourage South Africans to travel domestically to get a better understanding of the affordable, exciting and world class attractions that are available on their own doorstep.
This dedicated month normally takes place in lesser visited provinces to give them an opportunity to showcase their tourism facilities and attractions.
This year the focus will be on the Free State with activities planned at Dam, Bloemfontein and Parys.
Tourism Month also aims to generate awareness on the enormous contribution that the tourism industry makes to provincial and national economic growth and job creation.
A crucial part of Tourism Month is to educate South Africans on the importance of this industry to the economy. According to Statistics South Africa, its direct GDP contribution was R103,6 billion in 2013, rising from R93,5 billion in 2012.
Domestic visitors contributed 57 per cent (R124,7 billion) of total tourism spend in 2013, while international visitors contributed 43 per cent (R94,2 billion).
Visit the Department of Tourism has more information on tourism in South Africa.
Tourism authorities in the provinces:
