South Africa sees increase in visitor arrivals in 2016 with relaxation of visa rules

The tourism industry in South Africa bounced back after visa requirements were relaxed in 2016, increasing its total revenue to R15.8 billion in that year as room occupancy increased by 12.2 percent. This was revealed by the latest PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) annual hotel outlook, in which Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria and Tanzania, besides South Africa, were covered. Pietro Calicchio, PwC hospitality industry leader, said the international visitor arrivals to South Africa rose by 12.8 percent last year when compared with a decrease of 6.8 percent in 2015. Calicchio was quoted by iol.co.za as saying that foreign tourism growth could be attributed mainly to visa requirements relaxations. He added that their firm estimates that hotel room revenue would rise by 10.1 percent to R17.5 billion in 2017. According to the PwC report, during the same period, tourists from India and China rose by 21.7 percent and 38 percent, respectively. The largest number of tourists to the Rainbow Nation, however, came from Zimbabwe (2 million), followed by Lesotho (1.8 million) and Mozambique (1.3 million). Nigeria is expected to be the fastest-growing market in revenue wise over the next five years. It was averred that an improving economy would profit South Africa’s tourism Calicchio said investment planned in South Africa’s infrastructure would increase its appeal and attract more people in the coming years. Included in the new projects that are coming up are the Maslow Time Square Hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences and Radisson Red V&A Waterfront in Pretoria and the Tsogo Sun Sunsquare Hotel, the Silo Hotel and the Tsogo Sun Stayeasy in Cape Town. Calicchio said with a number of new hotels opening in South Africa, the total number of available rooms is expected to increase by 2,700 in the next five years. If you are looking to holiday in South Africa, get in touch with Y-Axis, a popular immigration consultancy company, to apply for a tourist visa.