Tourism climbing back in S. Africa

South Africa's tourism improved significantly in the first six months of this year with the country welcoming more than 2.2 million international tourists, a 147 percent increase from the same period last year, due to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu released figures for January to June last week. Europe accounted for the biggest tourist arrivals with a 563 percent increase, followed by the United States with a 331 percent increase. Tourist arrivals from Asia and the Pacific are slower than in other areas owing to border closures and strict travel policies necessitated by the resurgence of COVID-19. The African air industry brought more than 1.6 million arrivals to South Africa, which is a 109 percent increase but still 50 percent below 2019 levels.

"We are poised for a tremendous bounce back and positive growth as a sector. We are also seeing a steady increase in global seat capacity," Sisulu said.