Stats SA has released its latest tourism and migration report and the verdict on July arrivals is in. Total arrivals are up by 2% and overseas arrivals are up 10%, with Central and South America leading the charge at 90% year-to-date growth.
Brazil arrivals continue to grow exponentially with a year-to-date increase of 119%, as 17 524 arrivals in 2016 increased to 38 460 arrivals in 2017. Argentina isn’t far behind Brazil, at an 89% year-to-date increase and a 71% month-to-month increase. While Mexico has shown a 42% year-to-date increase.
Europe saw an overall Year-to-date increase of 10%. France, Spain, Germany and The Netherlands continue their year-long trend of growth, coming in at 31%, 19%, 15% and 12% year-to-date growth a piece. France went from 80 368 arrivals in 2016 to 105 494 arrivals in 2017. While Spain displayed a 16% month-to-month increase and Germany went from 155 371 arrivals in 2016 to 178 328 arrivals in 2017. Other notable European countries are Austria which grew 20% both month-to-month and year-to-date, and Sweden which grew 16% year-to-date.
North America increased by 8% year-to-date, but decreased by 1% month-to-month. The USA went from 199 853 arrivals in 2016 to 215 680 arrivals in 2017, but remained static on a month-to-month basis. While Canada decreased 10% month-to-month and only increased by 7% year-to-date.
The four markets showing the greatest decline came from Europe, Asia and Australasia. Ireland arrivals continue to nosedive, showing 38% year-to-date decrease, with just over 6 000 fewer arrivals occurring in 2017 compared with 2016. New Zealand and Iran also saw a 23% year-to-date decrease, while China dropped a further 16%.
The fastest growing African markets are Mauritania with an 89% year-to-date increase, Guinea-Bissau which increased by 60% year-to-date, Libya which is sitting at a 41% year-to-date increase, and Gambia which came in at a 30% year-to-date increase.
