Arrivals for April saw an increase from the majority of key source markets, with China as the main exception.

Total arrivals grew by less than 1% year-to-date (January to April 2017), but overseas arrivals grew by 11.32% according to the latest figures from Statistics SA.

Arrivals from SA’s biggest source market, the UK, increased by 3% year-to-date, with April’s arrivals totalling 187 569, compared with 182 319 in April 2016.

SA also saw an increase in arrivals from Germany, with a total of 27 720 arrivals in April, compared with 18 423 in the same period last year – a year-to-date increase of 16%.

Arrivals from elsewhere in Europe were also on the rise, with France up by 25% year-on year, jumping from 13 481 in April 2016, to 16 786 this year, resulting in a 35% total increase year-to-date. Arrivals from The Netherlands increased from 10 958 in April 2016 to 12 230 in April 2017 – a 12% increase and 15% year-to-date growth.

Arrivals from the US and Canada showed steady growth. The US increased by 10% for April, year-to-year change, and 7% year-to-date. Canada arrivals increased by 10% year-to-date, and 8% year-to-year change.

Growth out of China and India has slowed, with arrivals from China decreasing by 29% in April compared with April 2016 and a decline of 12% year-to-date. The Indian market picked up from a drop of 2% year-to-date in March, to 3% growth for April. Arrivals from India totalled 7 595 in April 2016, and this year a total of 8 689 arrivals were recorded, making the overall month-to-month change 14%.

Brazil arrivals continued their rapid growth, with a total increase of 125% year-to-date. Brazil arrivals for April 2016 totalled 2 532 compared with 4 511 in April this year, a 78% increase.