South African tourism up nearly 14%

More and more travellers are choosing South Africa as a holiday destination, it has been revealed.

According to figures from the national travel body SA Tourism, visitor numbers were up by 13.9 per cent.

This compares with a rise of 4.5 per cent for the global tourism industry.

The growth in visitor numbers can be attributed in part to the appeal of the country's spectacular wildlife and natural scenery to the growing numbers of backpacker holidaymakers.

In spite of the growth, however, Iraj Abedian, CEO of Pan-African Holdings, said that some facets of South Africa's tourism industry are in need of significant improvement.

Particular attention needs to be paid to improving security at hotels and increasing staffing levels at airports, he added.

"Reports of incidents that take place near hotels are not good for the country. When tourists go back home they tell their relatives and friends about their bad experience and then potential tourists won't come," Mr Abedian explained.

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