The number of Australian travellers visiting South Africa are yet to reach pre-Covid levels, according to South African Tourism’s Chief Operating Officer, Darryl Erasmus.
Speaking exclusively to the Aussie trade media during this month’s Mega Lekker Escape, in which 100 agents got to sample the country with wholesalers like Bench Africa, Erasmus described the Australian market as “nothing to sneeze at”.
While acknowledging that other sectors like Europe are a priority Erasmus highlighted that Australian visitors tend to spend more in country and that cash boost is felt all the way down the value chain.
“The important thing is that the Australian market typically stay longer, and they spend a bit more, and that investment in South Africa is what we’re looking for, because that’s what drives economic growth, that’s what drives job creation,” Erasmus said.
However, things could be better. Australia is yet to return to its pre-covid visitor arrival numbers into South Africa although the growth is sustained and promising.
“We’re very proud that we had almost 100,000 Australians visiting South Africa in 2024 which is, I think, if I’m upstaking just over a 14 per cent growth year on year. Are we at where pre Covid numbers are no not yet, but will we get there this year? Confident Absolutely,” Erasmus said.
Erasmus believes the key driver in order to continue the growth of visitor arrivals into South Africa is airlift, especially into Australia.
“I think the biggest thing I’d probably say I’d like to change is air connectivity and route development. You know, the more airlines we have connected, both regionally and global airlines into South Africa, the more accessible we’ll become,” he said.
“In some markets you have to connect via the hubs, whether it be in the UAE or others, a connection or a route like the Johannesburg Perth, just the way in which that impacts on accessibility and marketability of a destination is significant.”
This acknowledgment of a need for better connectivity has also been signaled across the highest echelons of South Africa’s government.
“I know that the minister, together with many of the other people in different ministries across our government, have identified it,” Erasmus said.
Featured image: South African Tourism COO Darryl Erasmus.
