Travel set to increase as festive season approaches

JOHANNESBURG - Tourism income in South Africa decreased in September according to the latest data from Stats SA which shows that income from the domestic tourist accommodation industry slowed to 18.4 year-on-year.

This follows an over 25 percent increase in the previous two months.

READ: SA tourism sector going from strength to strength

The hotels category and the “other” accommodation grouping -- which includes lodges and bed-and-breakfasts -- contributed positively to this month's data.

According to Investec, it is expected that these will rise as we head into the festive period.

The number of tourists arriving in the country increased by 29.2 percent year-on-year in October.

READ: Durban promotes itself as dream travel destination

South Africa's biggest market continues to be from overseas -- year-to-date -- with travellers from Europe.

That travel rose by 50.8 percent year-on-year.

Americans are also warming up to our shores as tourists arriving from the USA, increased by over 40 percent in the period.

According to a recent address by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, safety will be a key focus for her department to ensure that the world is not afraid to travel to South Africa.