Travel Trade News

Data released by Statistics South Africa on Wednesday, 27 July has shown a 122% year-on-year increase, when compared with April 2021. During the month of May, South Africa received 407,262 international visitors.

In 2021, the United States of America (USA) became South Africa's number 1 overseas market for the first time ever. Prior to this, the United Kingdom (UK) had been South Africa's number 1 market since 1994. Not only did the US market secure the top spot, but it also led in terms of growth in arrivals during the course of the year with a total of 82 020 arrivals in 2021 up 14% from 2020 and was among the top growth markets. In 2019, pre-pandemic, the USA was 2nd with 373 694 arrivals behind the UK (436 559) and ahead of Germany (322 720).

It is with great pleasure that South African Tourism (SA Tourism) announces the appointment of Bronwen Auret as the organisation’s new Chief Quality Assurance Officer, heading up the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. Bronwen will assume her new role with effect from 1st July 2022.

South African Tourism is extending a call for applications to the South African Tourism industry that wishes to participate at the below international shows. Please review carefully all the forms and only indicate your interest by completing an applicable form/s to the show/s you wish to attend.

South African Tourism welcomes the end of all COVID-19 restrictions after South Africa’s cabinet yesterday concluded that they had served their purpose. The revision of the COVID-19 management regulations heralds a new chapter for the country. It is a necessary shot in the arm for the tourism sector, which has been battered by more than two years of the global pandemic and related restrictions. The latest revisions include the removal of the mask-wearing mandate indoors and limits on gatherings and border checks for COVID-19 – and the need to be vaccinated to enter South Africa.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is proud to announce that it has won a number of Skytrax awards at a ceremony held in Paris, France, on June 16, 2022. ACSA’s Golden Triangle Airports have received the top three Best Airports in Africa.

June 16 2022, South African Tourism and the South African Consulate General New York commemorate the country’s Youth Day by launching a new digital campaign in the heart of New York City’s Time Square. The campaign creative features three of the destination’s innovators that embody the revolutionary spirit, creativity and courage of its young people including comedian Trevor Noah, visual activist Zanele Muholi, and innovator Siyabulela Xuza.

South African Tourism (SA Tourism) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Nomasonto Ndlovu as the organisation’s new Chief Operations Officer. Nomasonto will officially commence her role on 1 July 2022.

The Exhibitions industry builds the platforms on which business is done, and in 2022 it seems that we are finally on the road to recovery, building businesses and connecting people from all over the world. Global Exhibitions Day, GED,2022 falls on 1st June, and the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, UFI, encourages the Exhibitions industry worldwide to acknowledge and celebrate the undeniable value of exhibitions in accelerating the pace of economic recovery by creating platforms for networking, business exchange and in-person connection.

“The future for our African continent is bright. It is now time for our country, South Africa, to reclaim our place as an attractive tourism and business events destination,” these were the sentiments of the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela at his post-budget vote industry engagement on Thursday, 26 May 2022.

DUBAI, UAE 11 May 2022: Emirates and the South African Tourism Board have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote tourism and boost visitor arrivals and inbound traffic to South Africa from key markets across the Emirates network. The MoU was signed on the side-lines of Arabian Travel Market by Badr Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa, and The South Africa Tourism Board’s Acting CEO Mr Themba Khumalo. Also present at the signing ceremony was Adnan Kazim, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer, Minister of Tourism in South Africa, Lindiwe Sisulu and a senior government delegation from the South African Consulate in Dubai, His Excellency Consul General David Magabe and members of the South African Tourism Board.

JOHANNESBURG 10 MAY: Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022 was a boon for the continent’s tourism sector as well as the host city of Durban, province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This is as hundreds of buyers and exhibitors from 55 countries descended on Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) from 2-5 May, to trade on the continent’s best tourism products and experiences. Of the 55 countries, 19 were from the African continent, including South Africa.