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Johannesburg - The number of travellers that has passed through South African ports of entry in the past 20 years, both local and foreign, has increased tremendously, Stats SA reported in its Tourism 2010 survey, which was released on Thursday.
In 1991, about 4.8 million travellers were recorded as having crossed into or out of SA. About 3.4 million of these were foreign travellers, while 1.3 million were South African residents.
Ten years later, in 2001, the survey showed that almost 19 million travellers were processed, increasing further to nearly 32 million in 2010.
Stats SA said that throughout the ten years, more foreign travellers than South African residents travelled in or out of the country.
The volume of South African travellers between 2003 and 2005 was greatly affected by changes in the data collection system, Stats SA noted.
"The sudden drop in the number of arrivals and departures of SA residents during these years was mainly due to the changes in the Immigration Act regarding the recording of information on the international movements of South African residents," Stats SA said.
It said the collection of data regarding the arrival and departure of South African residents through the scanning of passports only resumed after the implementation of the Immigration Amendment Act.
The most used transport mode was roads, followed by air, while the main purpose of visit was for holidays. A smaller number came for business and to study. Stats SA said a number of people also used South Africa as a transit point.
More male (about 4.6 million) than female (3.4 million) tourists visited SA in 2010.
In 1991, about 4.8 million travellers were recorded as having crossed into or out of SA. About 3.4 million of these were foreign travellers, while 1.3 million were South African residents.
Ten years later, in 2001, the survey showed that almost 19 million travellers were processed, increasing further to nearly 32 million in 2010.
Stats SA said that throughout the ten years, more foreign travellers than South African residents travelled in or out of the country.
The volume of South African travellers between 2003 and 2005 was greatly affected by changes in the data collection system, Stats SA noted.
"The sudden drop in the number of arrivals and departures of SA residents during these years was mainly due to the changes in the Immigration Act regarding the recording of information on the international movements of South African residents," Stats SA said.
It said the collection of data regarding the arrival and departure of South African residents through the scanning of passports only resumed after the implementation of the Immigration Amendment Act.
The most used transport mode was roads, followed by air, while the main purpose of visit was for holidays. A smaller number came for business and to study. Stats SA said a number of people also used South Africa as a transit point.
More male (about 4.6 million) than female (3.4 million) tourists visited SA in 2010.
