South Africa’s fiscal crisis – in an environment of rising interest rates, soaring food, fuel and energy prices, plus high levels of unemployment – is likely to dominate the news cycle for years to come.
But, while the focus is primarily on the cost of living, the tourism/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>travel and tourism sector is a powerful driving force for the economy, creating jobs, stimulating growth, upskilling and lifting communities out of poverty.
ALSO READ: tourism-board-ceo/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Big things expected of new SA tourism board, CEO
The latest UNWTO World tourism Barometer shows global tourism is en route to a strong recovery: 2023 closed with tourism numbers up at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international tourist arrivals.
China’s reopening earlier last year had a marked impact, but the US boasts the largest travel and tourism sector in the world.
Stats SA’s tourism data for December shows most of our tourists came from the United Kingdom, the US and…
tourism-we-have-learned-that-local-is-lekker/amp/” target=”_blank”>Read further.