Tourism Remains a Key Driver of South Africa's National Economy And
Tourism remains a key driver of South Africa’s national economy and contributes to job creation. The tourism industry is a major contributor to the South African economy and employment of citizens. The sector contributes about 9% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) seeks to increase tourism’s total direct and indirect contribution to the economy from R189,4 billion in 2009 to R318,2 billion in 2015 and R499 billion in 2020. During 2016, 2 893 268 tourists arrived in South through air, 7 139 580 used road transport and 11 315 used sea transport. The majority of tourists, 9 706 602 (96,6%) were on holiday compared to 255 932 (2,5%) and 81 629 (0,8%) who came for business and study purposes respectively. The highest increase, 38,1% was for tourists from China (from 84 691 in 2015 to 116 946 in 2016), followed by India, 21,7% (from 78 385 in 2015 to 95 377 in 2016) and Germany, 21,5% (from 256 646 in 2015 to 311 832 in 2016). Tourists from Southern African Development Community Community countries (7 313 684) increased by 11,2%, from 6 575 244 in 2016. The highest increase, 26,0% was for tourists from Lesotho (from 1 394 913 in 2015 to 1 757 058 in 2016), followed by Botswana, 14,5% (from 593 514 in 2015 to 679 828 in 2016). The number of tourists from ‘other’ African countries (increased by 9,9% from 170 870 in 2015 to 187 828 in 2016.
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