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Berlin - In the German tourism market, South Africa is increasingly setting itself apart as a country that offers value for money, Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Thursday.
One of the world’s leading travel trade shows, ITB, is currently underway in Berlin and Van Schalkwyk is attending.
“Since 1994 German arrivals to South Africa have grown from a total of 105 000 to over 266 000 tourists in 2012," Van Schalkwyk said on Thursday.
"Importantly, in 2012 we recorded more German tourists to South Africa than ever before."
Germany remains a very important market for SA in terms of overseas arrivals and in 2012, tourist arrivals reached an all-time high of 266 333 tourists - a 13% growth on the 2011 numbers.
Van Schalkwyk expects this number to be exceeded by some margin in 2013, given that, from January to October 2013, arrival numbers were 14.8% higher than they were for the same period in 2012 (234 531 in 2013 up from 204 247 in 2012).
This also far exceeds the 6.2% average growth for Europe.
“Germany is our third largest source of overseas tourists. It’s been an incredible journey in which South Africa has emerged from a wildlife destination, serving primarily a domestic market, to one of the most visible, exciting, culturally diverse and varied global tourist destinations in the world today,” said Van Schalkwyk.
In total, nearly 50 companies are represented on the South African Tourism stand at this year’s ITB event.
“A strong South African contingent is also great news in a year where the world’s media will certainly be looking at South Africa with some interest given that, on 27 April 2014, we mark 20 years of living in a free and democratic country," said Van Schalkwyk.
"The strong South African support at ITB 2014 is indicative of the confidence that the South African tourism industry has in the German market at the moment.”
- Fin24
One of the world’s leading travel trade shows, ITB, is currently underway in Berlin and Van Schalkwyk is attending.
“Since 1994 German arrivals to South Africa have grown from a total of 105 000 to over 266 000 tourists in 2012," Van Schalkwyk said on Thursday.
"Importantly, in 2012 we recorded more German tourists to South Africa than ever before."
Germany remains a very important market for SA in terms of overseas arrivals and in 2012, tourist arrivals reached an all-time high of 266 333 tourists - a 13% growth on the 2011 numbers.
Van Schalkwyk expects this number to be exceeded by some margin in 2013, given that, from January to October 2013, arrival numbers were 14.8% higher than they were for the same period in 2012 (234 531 in 2013 up from 204 247 in 2012).
This also far exceeds the 6.2% average growth for Europe.
“Germany is our third largest source of overseas tourists. It’s been an incredible journey in which South Africa has emerged from a wildlife destination, serving primarily a domestic market, to one of the most visible, exciting, culturally diverse and varied global tourist destinations in the world today,” said Van Schalkwyk.
In total, nearly 50 companies are represented on the South African Tourism stand at this year’s ITB event.
“A strong South African contingent is also great news in a year where the world’s media will certainly be looking at South Africa with some interest given that, on 27 April 2014, we mark 20 years of living in a free and democratic country," said Van Schalkwyk.
"The strong South African support at ITB 2014 is indicative of the confidence that the South African tourism industry has in the German market at the moment.”
- Fin24
