South Africa's hotel industry is gradually recovering

South Africa's hotel occupancy rate for July 2023 was 47.3 per cent, up from 45.8 per cent in June and 45.5 per cent in May, according to the South African Tourism Statistics Authority (StatsSA), as reported by Pretoria News, a partner of TV BRICS.

The published data also showed that total revenue, measured in nominal terms (current prices), in the tourist accommodation industry grew by 17.8 per cent in July 2023 compared to July 2022.

The statistics office also reported that accommodation income increased by 29.1 per cent in July 2023 compared to the same period last year.

The data showed year-on-year increases in accommodation income in July 2023 for hotels (up 30.3 per cent and 18.7 percentage points) and "other" accommodation (up 34.2 per cent and 10.7 percentage points).

"For the three months ended on July 2023, accommodation revenue grew by 31.7 per cent over the same period last year," said the report.

Speaking at the World Tourism Day celebrations, South Africa's deputy tourism minister Fish Mahlalela also noted that international travel is experiencing a big recovery, according to StatsSA statistics.

"Between January and July 2023, a total of 4.8 million international tourists arrived in South Africa, which represents a significant increase (70.6 per cent) compared to the same period in 2022," said Mahlalela.

"Among these 4.8 million arrivals, the African region accounted for the largest share. Europe also played a significant role, contributing 14.3 per cent (equivalent to 682,828) of the total tourist arrivals. These significant figures paint a vivid picture of South Africa's enduring appeal, epitomising the global trend towards post-pandemic tourism recovery. It is clear that our country remains one of the most popular destinations, capturing the hearts of many with its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and amazing wildlife," emphasised Mahlalela.