South Africa seeks to double domestic tourism by 2020
People visit the Central Business District of Johannesburg. — AFP picCAPE TOWN, May 3 — South Africa aims to double domestic travel by 2020 as part of efforts to create jobs and boost the economy, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said yesterday.
“Our message to South Africans who seek world-class destinations to relax in, have an adventure in and to explore, is that they will find what they are looking for right here in South Africa,” he said.
The government’s target is to increase the number of domestic trips taken by South Africans from 26.4 million in 2011 to 54 million in 2020, he said at the launch of a campaign to grow the industry.
Domestic tourism accounted for 76 per cent of the country’s total tourist business in 2011, generating 20 billion rands (RM7.8 billion).
The campaign to encourage domestic travel includes TV, radio and outdoor ads, along with special offers for South African travellers. — AFP-Relaxnews
