Robust growth in tourism

Published Mar 31, 2006

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There is robust growth in tourism in South Africa, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) said on Thursday.

It based its assessment on the 17 percent increase in contributions to the tourism levy fund (TOMSA) from R47,8-million in 2004 to R56-million in 2005.

"Because the TOMSA levy is generally one percent of turnover, the figures are a good measure of the larger industry's performance.

"When compared to global growth figures, it becomes clear that destination South Africa is outperforming the world," said Tanya Abrahamse, executive director at the TBCSA.

The levy is raised from a variety of activities and organisations including car rental, tour operators and hotels.

Abrahamse said she believed that much of the increase came from an increase in South Africans who were travelling within the country.

In 2005 more than eight million domestic trips were undertaken.

"We believe that this phenomenal increase in contributions is driven largely by the focus that tourism businesses have placed on the burgeoning domestic market, double digit growth of arrivals from the rest of the continent and a more buoyant tourism environment worldwide," Abrahamse said. - Sapa

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