South Africa tourism growth 'three times world average'- South Africa holidays have soared in popularity with visitors from across the world, with the growth rate of tourism in the country three times higher than the global average in 2006, it has been announced.



Chief executive of South Africa Tourism Moeketsi Mosola told a conference that while tourism grew by around 4.5 per cent around the world last year, in South Africa it experienced a boost of almost 14 per cent.

The largest rise in visitors was represented by African tourists, with an increase of 16.9 per cent, followed by visitors from the American countries, a figure that grew by 11.2 per cent. However, there was also a rise in European visitors on South African holidays of 5.6 per cent.

Environmental affairs and tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk commented: "Tourism has been recognised at the highest possible level for its significant impact on the South African economy and has overtaken gold as the country's largest GDP contributor," IOL.co.za reports.

One of the biggest attractions for visitors thinking of visiting the country is the chance to go on an African safari.

The country contains 20 national parks that are designed to fully represent the native flora and fauna, giving visitors the chance to see anything from the famed Big Five game animals to rare succulent plants.

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