Tourism Update has analysed the latest arrival figures released by Statistics SA, which showed notable growth from France, however arrivals from the UK, South Africa’s leading key source market remain sluggish. 

European arrivals were up by 7% month-on-month for May 2017, however UK arrivals grew by just 3% year-to-date and showed zero month-on-month growth, with 22 390 arrivals in May 2016, decreasing slightly to 22 322 in May 2017.

Arrivals from the UK this year have shown little growth over the course of the year, with January up 4% month-on-month, February up 3% and March showing a decrease of nearly 8%. April 2017 saw a pick-up with nearly 16% month-on-month growth but, given the slow performance in previous months, this amounted to just a 3% increase year-to-date.

According to media reports, the general view is that heightened global safety and security concerns have resulted in UK citizens opting to stay at home.

However, Chris Mears, Chief Operating Officer of the African Travel and Tourism Association, says he does not believe that security concerns are preventing travellers from coming to South Africa. He puts the sluggish growth out of the UK down to political issues, financial pressures and the current exchange rate.

Mears says political instability in the UK has impacted people’s decision to travel. “Combined with this, we have the impact of Brexit, which is providing long-term uncertainty in the economy.” 

Also, the UK economy is not performing as it used to, with growth very flat and the cost of living increasing steadily, which results in less disposable income, adds Mears. He says the British pound has taken a hit against all major currencies and the rand is no exception. “While South Africa is still a great value destination, it is nowhere near as cheap as it used to be and this is compounded by the fact that inflation and the cost of living in SA is increasing much faster than elsewhere,” concludes Mears.