From the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa
South Africa has a collage of peoples, cultures, religions, natural features, culinary offerings, fauna and flora. South Africa is a country of endless possibilities which offers international tourists a wide range of options – from verdant mountain ranges and forests to the thrill-seeking canopy slides, un-matched bungee jumps and thrilling shark dives, to mention but a few. South Africa offers something for everyone.
From the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa
South Africa has a collage of peoples, cultures, religions, natural features, culinary offerings, fauna and flora. South Africa is a country of endless possibilities which offers international tourists a wide range of options – from verdant mountain ranges and forests to the thrill-seeking canopy slides, un-matched bungee jumps and thrilling shark dives, to mention but a few. South Africa offers something for everyone.
South Africa is a country known for the warmth of its people, its natural beauty and its wildlife. The most popular destinations include the national parks, such as the expansive Trans-frontier National Park incorporating the Kruger National Park, the coastlines and beaches of KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, and the major cities of Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Kimberley, to mention but a few. If it is tranquillity you are seeking, there are natural retreats in abundance. If it is city life you desire, the exciting options are abundant. Tourists can enjoy all these features in a country with a world-class infrastructure.
Tourism is a key sector that plays a significant role in South Africa’s economy by making a difference in the lives of ordinary people. In this regard South Africa made a strategic decision to focus its marketing efforts towards the African continent, Asia and South America. There has been an exponential increase in the number of tourists arriving from Asia.
South Africa is also currently working hard to ensure that travel and tourism becomes attainable for ordinary South Africans. At any given time, three-quarters of all tourists in South Africa are South Africans. South Africa is determined to promote and enhance domestic tourism and implement strategies to grow the sector, which is the life-blood of its economy. Last year, South Africa developed and implemented its first ever Domestic Tourism Growth Strategy together with the “Vaya Mzansi” domestic tourism marketing campaign. In implementing the Domestic Tourism Growth Strategy the Department of Tourism will be conducting an assessment of all the world heritage sites which South Africa has identified as products with intrinsic tourism value. As good as these tourist attractions are for South Africans to enjoy, we welcome and encourage the opportunity to share them with international guests. South Africa is continuing to entrench its status as a major international tourist and business events destination. South Africa offers opportunities for international students to pursue degrees as well as short courses. South Africa is a sporting destination of choice. South Africa offers opportunities for religious and medical tourists. MICE – meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions – with its additional tourism value has become an important driver of South Africa’s economy.
The tourism sector is a major component of South Africa’s economy and there is potential for it to grow further to create the much-needed employment, especially for the women and the youth. Covid-19 has brought untold loss to the tourism sector and economy of South Africa as a whole, however, the tourism sector also provides opportunities for growth and recovery, albeit under strict sanitary conditions. In this regard the South African Government has initiated a tourism recovery strategy for a post-Covid-19 world with the goal of providing a comfortable and safe environment in South Africa. We are looking forward to once again welcoming visitors and offering our unique South African hospitality.
I would like to warmly welcome you to come and visit my country, South Africa, a beautiful place steeped in a rich history and a vibrant cultural heritage.
Ambassador Hilton Fisher
Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa
