While there are major actions needed to elevate the tourism sector – improving safety, increasing air access, increasing investment, and growing tourism’s contribution to the economy – the industry is ready to come back with a bang!
This was the positive message from the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, speaking at WTM Africa, which kicked off at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) today.
“Ladies and gentlemen, with that, let us take full advantage of being back together in person and let us move ahead full steam to broaden our horizons, increase travel, trade, investment, jobs, and increase the economic contribution of tourism to all our economies,” De Lille said.
She noted that strides had been made towards sector recovery already. “This is evident in the fact that tourist arrivals to South Africa are on the rise. During the period January – December 2022, South Africa welcomed 5.7 million tourists. This is a sharp increase of 152% when compared to the same period in the previous year.”
De Lille added: “It is encouraging that arrivals from other African countries continue to be our most substantial source of arrivals, with just over four million arrivals during this period. Our tourism sector has a major role to play in South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, which is aimed at stimulating equitable and inclusive growth.”
Pre-pandemic numbers
According to RX Africa, WTM Africa is back to pre-pandemic numbers with over 5 000 registrations, almost 600 exhibitors, 49 new countries, 200 expert speakers, and over 80 hours of content sessions.
The event also has 9 200 pre-scheduled appointments, a 35% increase compared to last year. Over 63% of the buyers this year are new and come from markets such as Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Romania, Armenia, San Marino, and Uzbekistan.
Managing Director of RX Africa, Carol Weaving, said: “We are back and ready to do business. We’re excited about the high number of new buyers. The repeat buyers are from our key source markets."
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor of Cape Town, emphasized the importance of tourism for the Host City of Cape Town, saying: "We believe in the possibility of Africa. As tourism is an economic driver for Cape Town, we are building a city of hope. Our aim is to create a tourism-related job in every single household. People want to hear stories, and Africa has many stories to tell."
