Arrivals to South Africa from Brazil are up 21% for July, compared with the same month last year. Total arrivals year-to-date were 17 524, an increase of 5% compared with 2015.
July saw the highest growth rate for arrivals from Brazil, which were down 8% in January and February, up 2% in March, up 17% in April, down 4% in May, and up 16% in June, compared with the same months last year. Arrivals from Central and South America are up 18% year-to-date compared with 2015. Total arrivals to South Africa year-to-date were 33 400 from the region.
As of next month, Latam Airlines Group will operate three weekly flights between Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and São Paulo in Brazil.
According to the Department of Tourism, of the overseas markets, the highest increase in tourist arrivals was from China, 64%, moving from 5 389 arrivals in July 2015 to 8 827 arrivals in July this year. Lesotho experienced the highest increase for the African markets with a total of 162 392 tourist arrivals, a 30% increase from July 2015. Singapore is up 65%, with a total of 684 arrivals recorded for July.
Compared with July 2015, The Netherlands moved from the 9th to 8th as a source market, replacing Namibia. China replaced India by moving from 16th place to become South Africa’s 15th source market. Belgium replaced Italy, moving to 18th place.
“We are greatly encouraged that all regions are experiencing an increase in tourist arrivals,” said Victor Tharage, Director-General of the Department of Tourism. "This can only serve to motivate both government and the tourism industry to increase efforts in terms of marketing the country as a value-for-money destination, ensuring that, once tourists arrive, they receive excellent service across the board.”
