Department Of Tourism Pdf, Tourism remains a key driver of South Africa’s national economy and contributes to job creation. The tourism industry is a major contributor to the South African economy and employment of citizens. The sector contributes about 9% to the country’s gross domestic product.
A total of 8 903 773 foreign tourists visited South Africa in 2015. Over 1,6 million local and international tourists visited the Kruger National Park in 2015, one of the favourite destinations. During the same year, government introduced far-reaching immigration regulations to combat child trafficking and improve security at South Africa’s points of entry.
According to research conducted by the National Convention Bureau, 40% of all convention delegates attending meetings in South Africa return in the next five years as tourists, thus boosting tourism growth and job creation
The National Department of Tourismʼs (NDT) strategic goals over the medium term are to:
maximise domestic tourism and foreign tourist arrivals in South Africa
• expand domestic and foreign investment in the South African tourism industry
• expand tourist infrastructure • improve the range and quality of tourist services
• improve the tourist experience and value for money • improve research and knowledge management
• contribute to growth and development • expand the tourism share of gross domestic product (GDP)
• improve competitiveness and sustainability in the tourism sector
• strengthen collaboration with tourist organisations.
The inflow of tourists to South Africa is the result of the success of policies aimed at entrenching South Africaʼs status as a major international tourism and business events destination.