Question No 1469
Mrs C N Z Zikalala (IFP) to ask the Minister of Tourism:
(1) Whether the number of tourists visiting the country has decreased in the 2008/09 financial year; if so, what are the relevant details?
(2) Whether any additional initiatives and programmes will be implemented to boost the tourist industry; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
The Minister of Tourism answers:
(1) No, foreign arrivals increased by 5.5 percent between 2007 and 2008. In total, there were 9,591,828 arrivals in 2008 compared to 9,090,881 arrivals in 2007. Foreign arrivals for the first six months of 2009, increased by one percent over the same period in 2008. In total, there were 4,720,343 arrivals in the first six months of 2009 compared to 4,671,749 arrivals for the same period in 2008. The travel statistics are compounded per calendar year and not financial year.
(2) Yes,
All South Africa tourism marketing plans have been adjusted to include recovery plans. These include more joint marketing agreements with trade partners, increasing advertising slots on global broadcast platforms; a major social marketing campaign on travel sites; hosting key media and trade in South Africa and an aggressive public relation reputation management initiative.
Issued by: Department of Tourism
25 September 2009
