South Africa had by far exceeded its projected tourism growth numbers, his office said in a statement, with overseas arrivals up by 20.1% (just over 1.8 million) and a healthy 11.1% increase in total foreign arrivals over 2001.
"This is amazing news for South African tourism", said Moosa.
"We have continued to defy gravity throughout the year, confounding the global industry trend of 'flat' or decreased growth in a way that has proved that this is not just a 'flash in the pan' phenomena for us.
"In an industry that has become fiercely competitive, we have proved in no uncertain way that, as an established preferred tourist destination, our strategies have allowed us to weather the ravages felt by many tourism authorities throughout the world during continued economic turndowns and political storms."
Moosa said that the record-breaking statistics confirmed that the South African tourism industry had more than earned its position as one of the country's leading economic growth sectors and as one of the leading contributors towards the country's GDP, transformation and the creation of sustainable jobs.
All of South Africa's key markets have posted double digit growth for the year, with Europe up 24.2% (1.252, 710); North America up 9.2%, despite an overall general reluctance of its citizens to travel long haul; an increase of 20.7% from Asia and 14.5% from Australasia.
Arrivals from Africa were up by 7.7% to almost 4.5 million, despite the significant 9.7% decrease from Lesotho, though this was offset by significant increases from Zimbabwe (+22.1%) and Botswana (+21.6%).
The UK and Germany again proved leading source markets in the European portfolio - 442,910 and 248,990 arrivals respectively - with China leading the pack out of Asia & Australasia with close to 37 000 arrivals, an increase of 24.5% over 2001 and Australia enjoying a 24.5% increase.
The 7% increase in arrivals from the USA has been especially welcomed given the tough conditions affecting travel from that market.
Cheryl Carolus, chief executive officer of South African Tourism, said from Berlin in Germany, where she is attending an annual international tourism exhibition: "We are out of the woods, we have finally turned the corner.
"At long last, tourism is working, and can be seen to be working for our country.
"Team South Africa has worked hard for this moment of glory, a moment we fully intend to maintain. "We will jealously defend our position as the fastest growing tourism destination in the world and maintain the amazing momentum that everyone has contributed toward."
Carolus said that the upturn in tourist arrivals had firmly positioned South Africa as one of the world's preferred tourist destinations.
The genuine warmth and hospitality shown by South Africans to tourists is an experience that, through the valuable word of mouth multiplier effect, is now proving that both the overseas trade and consumers are fast waking up to just what South Africa has to offer -Sapa
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