South Africa reports 'phenomenal' increase in tourist numbers
The South African government has hailed a "phenomenal" increase in tourists entering the country during 2006, representing an increase of 13.6 per cent over the figures for 2005.
Some 8.4 million international tourists visited the country in 2006, with 73,000 more people from Europe entering in the country and 30,000 extra holidaymakers from North America.
Marthinus van Schalkwyk, minister of environmental affairs and tourism, revealed that the only market that did not show growth was China, although he added that South Africa is confident of addressing this in the near future.
"Attracting more tourists from around the globe creates even more jobs and economic opportunities, enabling us to meet the expectations created for the industry in terms of our Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative," he remarked.
Mr Schalkwyk also stated that the there is "no limit" to what South Africans can achieve in the field of tourism by working together, thanks to the "exemplary" manner in which partnerships have been founded between government tourist agencies, the private sector and tour operators.
According to South Africa's official online gateway, tourism remains one of the country's fastest-growing industries.
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