News & Sport

Tourism boosted

10 March : 10 million guests visiting this year

It’ll be a record year for tourism as the country welcomes more than 10 million visitors through ports of entry during 2010. Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk confirmed that the number was 500 000 more than 2008s visitor count which clocked in at 9.5 million.

Briefing the media as part of the Economic and Employment Creation Cluster, he said while the global tourism industry saw a decline of 4 percent, South Africa was able to outperform competitors and experienced growth, be it at a lower level after a record four years of double-digit growth.

“We want to be, in a few years, one of the top 10 long-haul convention destinations in the world and to do that we will have to professionalise our approach,” he said.

Van Schalkwyk was referring to the ministry’s aim of attracting businesses to hold conventions and conferences in the country. He said sporting events were a “giant” opportunity for South Africa too and presently sports events accounted for 10 percent of foreign arrivals.

The World Cup would attract about 300 000 to 450 000 visitors.

Source BuaNews
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