Question NW720 to the Minister of Tourism

Reply:

Due to two to three (2-3) months lag in the release of key tourism statistics, most of the key tourism statistics are not yet available. The only data available to date is for international tourist arrivals, accommodation industry as well as food and beverages industry for January 2022.

Tourist Arrivals

A total of 377 651 tourist arrivals was recorded in January 2022, which was an increase of 171,4% (238 517) compared to the same month in 2021. All regions (overseas and Africa) experienced a growth in tourist arrivals during January 2022 compared to January 2021. Australasia had the highest increase of 626,9% (1 398) followed by Europe (447,4%; 38 846) and North America (315,4%; 6 787). Africa also recorded an increase of 149,5% (187 215) and this region remained the main source of tourist arrivals to the country, accounting for 82,7% (312 440) of total tourist arrivals during January 2022.

Accommodation Industry

For January 2022 period, the total income (current prices) from the accommodation industry recorded an increase of 120,6% compared to January 2021, which was an increase from R1 217,1 million in January 2021 to R 2685,5 million during the same month in 2022. Income from accommodation only (excluding restaurants, bar sales and other income) went up by 65,4% during January 2022. All categories of accommodation recorded an increase in income levels with hotels showing the highest increase of 112,2%; followed by guest houses and guest farms (78,4%), other accommodation (26,4%) and caravan parks and camping sites (18,3%).

Food and Beverages Industry

In January 2022, the total income for food and beverages industry was about R5 288,8 million, which was an increase of 58,4% compared to R3 338,2 million recorded in January 2021.