{"id":51795,"date":"2023-05-16T11:22:02","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T11:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chinesetouristagency.com\/?p=51795"},"modified":"2023-05-16T11:22:02","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T11:22:02","slug":"south-africa-tourism-china-is-the-biggest-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chinesetouristagency.com\/south-africa-tourism-china-is-the-biggest-market\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa Tourism : China is the biggest market"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

According to a senior tourism official, tourism in South Africa has experienced a rapid rebound this year, although it remains below pre-COVID-19 levels. The official anticipates that an increasing number of visitors, including those from China, will contribute to the country’s recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source http:\/\/global.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/202305\/16\/WS6462e1d1a310b6054fad3285.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Tourism reports that in the first quarter of 2023, South Africa welcomed 2.1 million travelers, representing a 103 percent increase compared to the same period last year and nearly 80 percent of the figure from 2019. Foreign direct spending has also risen by almost 150 percent, reaching $1.4 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela, expects this upward trend to continue and reveals that the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng provinces have already reached pre-pandemic tourism levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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South Africa is strategically focusing on key source markets, including the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and China<\/strong>. Mahlalela believes that group tours from China will contribute significantly to South Africa and Africa’s recovery, emphasizing the strong relations between the two countries as BRICS members and the agreement to promote mutual visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahlalela asserts that the country’s recovery plan for the tourism sector has shown promising results. In an effort to attract international visitors, South Africa has introduced an e-visa service, currently available to citizens from 14 countries, including China, with plans to expand it to 20 more countries. The e-visa, combined with enhanced security measures at tourist destinations, has contributed to increased visitor numbers, especially from Kenya.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source Photo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abel Yifru, the area manager of Ethiopian Airways in South Africa, reports that the airline is also recovering post-pandemic. Ethiopian Airways has reopened existing routes and is launching new international routes, including flights from Ethiopia to several Chinese cities. Yifru highlights that China has always been a significant market for the airline, promoting business opportunities and attracting Chinese tourists to various African countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Namibia, another African destination, is receiving tourists from China, albeit in fewer numbers than expected. The country is working on a memorandum of understanding with China to enhance cooperation in areas such as airlines and national tourism boards, aiming to strengthen the ties between the two countries in the tourism sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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South Africa, Smart Digital strategy to attract Chinese Tourists<\/a><\/blockquote>