INCREASE IN TOURISTS VISITING SOUTH AFRICA

Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

12 FEBRUARY 1997

Responding to a question in parliament today, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Z Pallo Jordan said that there has been an increase in tourists visiting South Africa in 1996, as compared to 1995.

According to Minister Jordan, the Central Statistical Services has not yet released the official traveller data for the period October 1996 to December 1996. However the most recent data for the period January 1996 to September 1996 reveals the following:

• 2 571 050 visitors entered South Africa from mainland Africa, being 5,9% more than in 1995;
• 799 256 visitors entered South Africa from overseas, being 6,8% more than in 1995; and
• 3 488 016 visitors entered South Africa in total, being 6,5% more than in 1995, including an unspecified number.

Minister Jordan also said that visitor numbers increased from July 1996 after the earlier period during which numbers remained generally constant.

ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM For more information please contact: Cassandra Gabriel - Public Relations Officer PH: (021) 457 240 - office, Cell: 082 573 4168