30 October 2013
More than 1.2-million foreign travellers arrived in South Africa in July, a year-on-year increase of 12%, Statistics South Africa reported on Tuesday.
There were 1 289 022 foreign arrivals to South Africa, according to data collected by Department of Home Affairs immigration officials at the country’s ports of entry. In July 2012, South Africa had 1 195 266 foreign travellers visit the country.
A majority – around 90% – were in South Africa for holidays, compared to only 6.5% in transit, 1.8% for business and 1.6% for study purposes.
A total of 3 285 691 travellers (both arrivals and departures) passed through all South African ports of entry in July 2013. This is about 200 000 more than the same month last year.
Of the tourists who visited the country this year, 204 120 were from overseas. The top 10 home countries of visitors were (in descending order): United States, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, China, Australia, France, India, Brazil and Italy.
Around 564 460 visitors were from Southern African Development Community countries. Travellers from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Botswana made up the majority of visitors.
The leading rest-of-Africa countries in terms of visitors were Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Gabon.
Air travel was most popular with tourists, with 89.4% of overseas tourists arriving in the country by air, and 10.6% by road.
SAinfo reporter
