Tourism Update recently covered the latest figures from Statistics SA, which shows tourist arrivals for May 2017 showing steady growth, with France in particular showing the most notable growth.
The European market demonstrated an 11% increase year-to-date; however arrivals from France were up 35% year-to-date. There were 8 658 arrivals in May 2016, with May 2017 on the up and up, with arrivals sitting at 12 093.
Arrivals from France, depicting month-on-month change since January 2016.
South African Tourism’s Regional Manager for South Europe, Bashni Muthaya said: “The growth we are seeing in France is underpinned by a deep understanding of the market. Travel is an integral part of the lives of the French and we know that the French travel for personal enrichment and to discover and immerse themselves in new and different cultures.”
Muthaya mentioned that the evolving landscape that emerged post the financial crisis of 2008 saw the value chain change, to one where both operators and travel agents packaged and distributed travel.
The French economy is currently sluggish, but the integral need to travel and discover new cultures has made SA increasingly popular with the French, as SA offers a variety of experiences, and the value for money that tourists receive has made the country more likely to be considered.
With the increase in global terrorism, South Africa is perceived to be a relatively safe country to visit, and this had also resulted in the improvement and increase of arrivals from France, mentioned Muthaya.
“A key to success in France is relationships so we invest heavily in building and nurturing relationships with the travel trade in the country, including our DMCs/inbounds where we work on profitable partnerships,” said Muthaya.
Adding to this, earlier this year the Portfolio Committee on Tourism met with the President of the Friendship Group of France and South Africa, Michelle Demessine, as well as a delegation comprising French Members of Parliament and officials, with the main objective of the visit being to strengthen relations in tourism between the two countries.
The Portfolio Committee’s Chairperson, Beatrice Ngcobo, was appreciative of the programmes implemented by the French government, as a result of the 2008 co-operation agreement, and called for more collaboration between the two countries, which, looking at May arrivals, seems to have been a success.
The delegation at the time committed to greater collaboration, requesting that members and officials conceptualise more programmes on tourism exchange training, teacher exchange programmes, planning for tourism and equipping tour operators.
SA is also seen as the economic gateway to Southern Africa, with more than 360 French companies and subsidiaries based in SA, employing more than 37 000 people directly, this according to Business Day.
Another contributing factor may be attributed to the lack of visa requirements for entry to SA for French citizens, as they can stay in the country for up to 90 days.
