Question NW1640 to the Minister of Tourism
22 June 2017 - NW1640
Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Tourism
Has she isolated the relative weightings of factors contributing to the decline of 0.7% in domestic tourism in 2016 compared to 2015; if so, what are the (a) (i) factors and (ii) their relative weighting and (b) further relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
No. Though SA Tourism has identified some of the factors contributing to the decline of 0.7% in domestic tourism in 2016 compared to 2015, the relative weightings of these factors has not been determined.
a) What are the:
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2015 |
2016 |
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(i) factors |
South African households were under increased pressure in 2015 due to limited growth in income against rising living costs. High indebtedness levels, rising interest rates and employment uncertainty dented consumer confidence. Together these factors lead to constrained consumer spending, i.e. consumers were less likely to spend on non-essentials. Given the economic outline of the country above stated, when people were asked specifically about travel, they stated the following as key deterrent factors: • lack of affordability • no reason to take a trip • time constraints • Unemployed/ no income |
Unemployment continued to pose significant challenges, unemployment levels reached 25.4% in 2015 and 26.7% in 2016, according to Stats SA. 47% of the South African population earn below the R3500 proposed minimum wage, which can be translated into more than 25 million people earning below R3500. The economic constraints still remain the main barrier to travel and there is more pressure on consumers’ disposable income. A further challenge compounding the barrier is the perception that travel is expensive. |
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(ii) their relative weightings |
The relative weightings of these factors has not been determined. |
The relative weightings of these factors has not been determined. |