South African Tourism Trade (GL)

SSouth African Tourism works to support both local and international travel trade partners through education about South Africa, tools to assist with the marketing of South Africa and South African products and strives to unlock opportunities for business in the tourism value chain. Keep up to date with the latest industry news and events in South Africa and abroad, and become an expert on South Africa through our various support tools and programmes listed below.

Tourism Grading Council of South Africa

TGCSA is the only officially recognised organisation that authorises accommodation establishments to display stars. Get graded today!

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Lilizela Tourism Awards

Recognising and rewarding tourism players and businesses who work to deliver world-class products and services.

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SA Specialist

SA Specialist is an interactive online learning programme that will improve your knowledge of South Africa.

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Welcome South Africa

Welcome South Africa aims to create and sustain engagement with industry stakeholders, and encourage information sharing.

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Digital Assets Library

A collection of some beautiful images and video clips made for the esteemed partners of South African Tourism in promoting travel in and to South Africa.

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Deals Dashboard

If you're a travel trade partner, widen your reach by uploading your latest and greatest South African travel deals to South African Tourism's own Deals Dashboard.

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Travel Directory

Tourism operators can update their offering and for travellers to find accommodation, activities and attractions.

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Africa's Travel Indaba

One of the largest tourism marketing events in Africa and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar.

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Research

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Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival September

137 downloads

01 Sep 201601 Sep

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival September

This report analyses tourist arrivals to South Africa. As part of a national effort to improve the quality of tourism statistics in South Africa, tourist arrivals, as opposed to visitor arrivals, is now been released. Please note that published figures exclude Transit tourist.

137 downloads

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Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival October

27 downloads

01 Oct 201601 Oct

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival October

27 downloads

Download report

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival November

54 downloads

01 Nov 201601 Nov

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival November

54 downloads

Download report

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival May

14 downloads

01 May 201601 May

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival May

This report analyses tourist arrivals to South Africa. As part of a national effort to improve the quality of tourism statistics in South Africa, tourist arrivals as opposed to visitor arrivals is now been released. Please note that published figures exclude Transit tourist.

14 downloads

Download report

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival June

20 downloads

01 Jun 201601 Jun

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival June

20 downloads

Download report

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival July

12 downloads

01 Jul 201601 Jul

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival July

12 downloads

Download report

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival January

25 downloads

01 Jan 201601 Jan

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival January

25 downloads

Download report

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival February

10 downloads

01 Feb 201601 Feb

Tourist Arrivals

2016 Tourist arrival February

10 downloads

Download report

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Events

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Northern Cape

Africa Day

25 May25 May 2019

25 May '1925 May '19

Northern Cape

Africa Day

The 25th of May 2019 marks a momentous day on the African calendar, Africa Day.

25 May25 May 2019

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Gauteng

Meetings Africa 2020

24 Feb26 Feb 2020

24 Feb '2026 Feb '20

Gauteng

Meetings Africa 2020

In recent years, the global meetings industry has begun to recognise Africa as a sought after destination. Meetings Africa showcases Africa’s diverse offering of services and products where African associations and African meetings industry professionals can partner to help transform our continent. In the last five years (between 2013 and 2017) Meetings Africa has hosted over 1000 international and regional buyers, 1336 exhibitors and over 7000 visitors. Meetings Africa 2020 will take place from 24-26 February 2020, with BONDay on the 24th.

24 Feb26 Feb 2020

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News

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25 June 2019

Domestic Tourism Shines: Jan - Apr 2019 vs Jan - Apr in 2018

79 views

Domestic Tourism Shines: Jan - Apr 2019 vs Jan - Apr in 2018

The period from January to April 2019, showed exceptional growth on the domestic tourism front when compared to the same period last year.

79 views

07 June 2019

SA Tourism welcomes new Tourism Minister

364 views

SA Tourism welcomes new Tourism Minister

364 views

24 May 2019

South African Tourism Wins Two Awards at ITB China 2019

642 views

Press Release | 24 May 2019

South African Tourism Wins Two Awards at ITB China 2019

South African Tourism has received the honor of winning two individual awards at this year’s ITB China 2019, a three-day B2B travel exhibition exclusively focused on the Outbound Chinese Travel Market which took place on 15 to 17 May at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center.

642 views

23 May 2019

IMEX: South African student's food security idea wins in Germany

1404 views

Press Release | 23 May 2019

IMEX: South African student's food security idea wins in Germany

It was a remarkable night for South Africa and Africa as North West University student, Emile Coetzee, was crowned the winner of Future Leaders Forum at the World Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events (IMEX) in Frankfurt, Germany.

1404 views

22 May 2019

IMEX | SA’s Business Events Capabilities display in Frankfurt

127 views

Press Release | 22 May 2019

IMEX | SA’s Business Events Capabilities display in Frankfurt

IMEX Frankfurt, will see over 3 500 products in the exhibition halls, and around 5 100 buyers will walk the floors in search of great deals and unique products.

127 views

17 May 2019

Tourism Minister and Airbnb meet on proposed regulations for short-term home rentals

176 views

Press Release | 17 May 2019

Tourism Minister and Airbnb meet on proposed regulations for short-term home rentals

Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom met with representatives of the global online accommodation-booking platform – Airbnb to discuss various policy issues, in particular the regulation of short-term home rentals. The meeting took place in the context of the current call for public comment on the Tourism Amendment Bill, published on 15 April 2019, to provide stakeholders an opportunity to make submissions.

176 views

05 May 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa cuts a slice of the Sho’t Left Travel Week Pie

384 views

Press Release | 05 May 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa cuts a slice of the Sho’t Left Travel Week Pie

Sho’t Left Travel Week was launched at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2019 on Thursday, 02 May. The campaign aims to get local travellers excited about exploring their own country by offering them the opportunity to buy discounted local deals and packages for one week only.

384 views

04 May 2019

The time is ripe for Africa’s luxury tourism offering!

120 views

Press Release | 04 May 2019

The time is ripe for Africa’s luxury tourism offering!

In all of the world’s emerging economies, tourism is one of the primary industries driving growth and job creation. The tourism industry continues to play an increasingly important role in the global economy, contributing 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), 30 percent of service exports, and 235 million jobs. Approximately 1-billion people travel internationally every year.

120 views

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South Africa on social media

[PRESS RELEASE] Domestic tourism shines as the latest Jan-April 2019 Performance is released! South Africans have showed enthusiasm for travelling during the first four months of 2019.Showing an exceptional growth on domestic Tourism . Read more here : http://bit.ly/2WYDBVi

Despite a strong showing during April 2019, where growth was recorded from major international source markets like… https://t.co/Gm7R84lNWC

“SA Tourism has been focusing on marketing campaigns that entice South Africans to travel their country. We are no… https://t.co/YLJ6OQ27Ze

[PRESS RELEASE] Domestic tourism shines as the latest Jan-April 2019 Performance is released! South Africans have… https://t.co/SjbTobM79q

Competition is in full swing for establishments vying for the coveted @Lilizela_Awards 2019. You could be a winner… https://t.co/HDTmICMrhe

Competition is in full swing for establishments vying for the coveted #LililizeAwards19. If you entered in for the Backpacking & Hosteling category, you too could be a winner like Once in Joburg, a 3-star TGCSA-graded establishment which took home gold last year. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2Wwtd7X

It only takes 4 easy steps to get listed on our South Africa's travel directory. Maximise your business opportunit… https://t.co/qLxw5xN2xT

Get listed on one of South Africa’s largest travel directories in 4 easy steps: 1. Register your account 2. Create your listing 3. Submit for moderator approval 4. View your listing online http://bit.ly/2abYUhL

@keitufil Hi @keitufil, Thank you for your interest in a career at South African Tourism. You can follow the link… https://t.co/huy007jzgj

Find out more about planning an event in South Africa and learn all about the province you are travelling to right… https://t.co/BKTNDGs3Mb

Offering quality facilities, venues and service providers, South Africa is an ideal conference destination, hosting many world-class congresses, conventions, events and trade fairs each year. Find out more about planning an event in South Africa and the province you are travelling to right here: http://bit.ly/2hw2B7G

The Visitor Experience of the year Awards recognises all businesses that enable visitors to experience the diversit… https://t.co/FU36VjgFjU

The Visitor Experience of the year Awards recognises all businesses that enable visitors to experience the diversity that is offered in South Africa. Learn more about this #LilizelaAwards19 category: https://bit.ly/2JtGYAq

Imvelo Awards for Sustainable Tourism 2019, was announced at Africa’s Trade Indaba 2019. The awards recognizes tour… https://t.co/EK0Rjk5uJB

Imvelo Awards for Sustainable Tourism 2019, was announced at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2019. The awards recognizes tourism and hospitality businesses that make a real, measurable and sustained contribution to responsible tourism. https://bit.ly/2JBViXS

The @TGCSA_ has also introduced a new dimension to grading, which allows for properties to capitalise on niche mark… https://t.co/IU7iZoFvlh

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa has also introduced a new dimension to grading, which allows for properties to capitalise on niche market differentiation. This new addition termed “accolades” includes insignia and criteria for niche markets. https://bit.ly/2C9FRDm

Here are tips of the trade on being more welcoming and greeting your guests in their own language:… https://t.co/K06lEePNaj

Need some tips of the trade on being more welcoming, having itinerary ideas or greeting your guests in their own language – we have everything you need right here: http://bit.ly/1MSpYiH

An interview at IMEX19 with Future Leaders winner, Emile Coetzee. Emile represented Africa in the Future Leaders Competition and achieved first place up against many other countries. Watch one of her interviews.

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Research

2016 Tourist arrival September

2016 Tourist arrival October

2016 Tourist arrival November

2016 Tourist arrival May

2016 Tourist arrival June

2016 Tourist arrival July

2016 Tourist arrival January

2016 Tourist arrival February

Events

Africa Day

Meetings Africa 2020

News

Domestic Tourism Shines: Jan - Apr 2019 vs Jan - Apr in 2018

SA Tourism welcomes new Tourism Minister

South African Tourism Wins Two Awards at ITB China 2019

IMEX: South African student's food security idea wins in Germany

IMEX | SA’s Business Events Capabilities display in Frankfurt

Tourism Minister and Airbnb meet on proposed regulations for short-term home rentals

President Cyril Ramaphosa cuts a slice of the Sho’t Left Travel Week Pie

The time is ripe for Africa’s luxury tourism offering!

South Africa on social media

Useful links

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