South African tourism sector on track to regain pre-COVID numbers

The South African tourism sector, one of the hardest hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic, has shown positive signs with income for tourist accommodation increasing by 86.6% for the year ending May 2022. This, according to a Statistics South Africa report published this week. The 86.6% increase includes restaurants, bar sales and “other” income.

The hotel industry saw the biggest increase in its revenue for the year-on-year period, accounting for bulk of the income from accommodation.

“In May, the largest contributors to the 61.6% year-on-year increase in income from accommodation were: hotels (93.2% and contributing 44.5 percentage points),” the report said.

Despite the sector suffering heavily in the strict travel restrictions imposed during the course of the virus, South Africa’s tourism industry is on the road to recovery, said South Africa's tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

In May, the SA tourism board signed a memorandum of understanding with UAE-based company, Emirates, to boost tourism to and from the region.

“The Middle East is a critical market for South Africa so this partnership will be very instrumental in ensuring ease of access to and from South Africa for travellers from this region. This will increase direct airlift, making room for more travellers, and as our tourism sector recovers we look forward to welcoming more visitors from the Middle East.” said South African tourism acting chief executive, Themba Khumalo.

Earlier this year, the minister attended the 2022 African Travel Indaba at the ICC in Durban, which attracted investors and tourism businesses from across the continent and world, as reported by Pretoria News, a partner of TV BRICS.

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