With South Africa perceived as Muslim friendly, the growth in visitors to the country from the Gulf and Middle East is out-performing other source markets, according to SA government statistics released this week.

Arrivals from the Middle East were up by 13% year-to-date, and showed a 46% month-on-month change. In June 2016 there were 2 200 visitors from the Middle East, this June the figure jumped to 3 220, with 92% (2 983) of travellers visiting SA for holiday.

The most significant growth within the Middle East came from Saudi Arabia, with arrivals up 10% year-to-date. Month-on-month change resulted in a 160% increase.

This follows a continued trend in arrivals from the Middle East, as May showed a 10% year-to-date increase.

Israel came in second within the Middle Eastern countries, with an 11% year-to-date increase, and a 13% month-on-month change.

Reasons for the increase in arrivals to SA may be attributed the growing awareness of the excellent air access.

Operators in southern Africa have zoned in on the market, catering specifically towards them.

At the recent Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa) conference in Stellenbosch, there was a panel discussion on South East Asia, India and the Middle East, titled ‘New markets, pointers and lessons’.

The discussion highlighted the importance of these regions as key source markets for South Africa’s tourism. Sadiq Dindar, Marketing and Promotions Manager of the Middle East for SA Tourism, said the Middle East had shown good growth.

Rob Hetem, Owner of T-Cubed Consulting said the Middle Eastern market was collaborative, congratulating Emirates’ efforts, and saying that the airline had done a great job right from the early days. Even though Emirates eight flights a day to South Africa, there is feeder traffic from other countries.

Hetem said the SA mission in Saudi Arabia had issued 15 000 visas this year alone. Looking at per capita spend, this was an important market. He noted that the Middle Eastern market has a high disposable income, as well as being an honour market, which is all about reputation, and how people perceive one another’s actions and relationships, differing from other markets.

He said that the Arabian Travel Market was one of the best platforms for access to the market, as there was the opportunity to speak to 4 700 people on a four-day show.

Many DMCs have homed in on these platforms, resulting in an increase in Middle Eastern travellers.

Relations between SA and the Middle East have also had a major boost over the past two years, with President Jacob Zuma visiting Saudi Arabia last year. The visit was described as an important structural catalyst for strengthening bilateral political and economic relations.

SA ranks in the top five destinations for Muslim travellers in 2016, according to Traveller 24.