Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - SA saw a 23% increase in spending by international travellers using their Visa cards, a report said.
The report by Visa on Wednesday said the significant tourism opportunity surrounding the 2010 Soccer World Cup was still feeding through.
According to the report, international Visa cardholders increased tourism spending from $1.8bn in 2009 to $2.2bn in 2010.
January-June spending levels in 2011 were close to those of the first half of 2010 and were significantly higher than same period spending in 2009.
"In the first half of 2011, the momentum established during the tournament has had a lasting effect on the South African tourism economy," said the report.
"In 2010, SA capitalised on the significant tourism opportunity presented by hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, inspiring international adventurers to discover the country's magnificent landscape and warm climate," said Mandy Lamb, country manager, Visa sub-Saharan Africa.
According to this year's Tourism Outlook: South Africa 2011 report, Visa cardholders from the United Kingdom ($536m), the US ($325m) and Germany ($95.8m) were the top three contributors to SA's tourism economy in 2010.
However, of the top 10 inbound source countries four were surrounding African nations, including: Botswana ($83.6m), Mozambique ($78.6m), Namibia ($66.2m) and Angola ($53.6m).
Of the top 25 source countries, the biggest year-on-year growth came from Zimbabwe (217%), Angola (132%), Brazil (112%) and China (80%).
The report by Visa on Wednesday said the significant tourism opportunity surrounding the 2010 Soccer World Cup was still feeding through.
According to the report, international Visa cardholders increased tourism spending from $1.8bn in 2009 to $2.2bn in 2010.
January-June spending levels in 2011 were close to those of the first half of 2010 and were significantly higher than same period spending in 2009.
"In the first half of 2011, the momentum established during the tournament has had a lasting effect on the South African tourism economy," said the report.
"In 2010, SA capitalised on the significant tourism opportunity presented by hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, inspiring international adventurers to discover the country's magnificent landscape and warm climate," said Mandy Lamb, country manager, Visa sub-Saharan Africa.
According to this year's Tourism Outlook: South Africa 2011 report, Visa cardholders from the United Kingdom ($536m), the US ($325m) and Germany ($95.8m) were the top three contributors to SA's tourism economy in 2010.
However, of the top 10 inbound source countries four were surrounding African nations, including: Botswana ($83.6m), Mozambique ($78.6m), Namibia ($66.2m) and Angola ($53.6m).
Of the top 25 source countries, the biggest year-on-year growth came from Zimbabwe (217%), Angola (132%), Brazil (112%) and China (80%).
