Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is saddened by the news of the fatal shooting of a German tourist in Mpumalanga on Monday 3 October 2022. The tourist was part of a group of travellers making their way to one of the country’s top tourism attractions in the province.

Perspective is everything. That’s possibly one of the biggest lessons we’ve learnt in the past two-and-half years. Perspective; be it in the sense of how precious life is, or how valuable our liberties, social relations and freedom of movement really are, or even how quickly it can all be gone or taken away by some out-of-our-control fluke. Perspective; the ability to assess and appreciate from multiple angles, the moment one is living through, as well as see all its pitfalls, opportunities and ways out.

Encouraged by the uptake in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries after the disruptions of the past two years, SA Tourism is scaling up the implementation of its sector growth plans. The country’s destination-marketing agency believes the moment is opportune to follow up and complement its ‘Live Again’ global campaign, with a familiarisation strategy on a grand and bold scale. This strategy is dubbed MegaFam, to emphasise its scale and ambition, which is bigger than a typical destination-marketing familiarisation (Fam) campaign.

With the launch of their new air service between Brussels, Johannesburg and Cape Town, Air Belgium offers travellers more choice and convenience – and direct access to the heart of Europe.

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.