Speaking at a summer tourism campaign launch in the Eastern Cape last month, tourism minister Patricia de Lille acknowledged a number of “legitimate concerns” caused by a number of “unfortunate" recent incidents involving tourists.
De Lille revealed that from January to July 2023, 4.8 million international tourists arrived in South Africa – a “remarkable” 79.6% year-on-year spike against 2022. But she noted overall visitor numbers were 19% down versus pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
De Lille said the best way to boost tourism figures to the country would be to address the “paramount issue of safety” raised by recent events.
