Johannesburg - Despite a downward trend globally, South Africa's tourism sector remained strong and resilient, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Friday.
"Globally tourism was in serious trouble because of the financial crisis but in South Africa the picture continued to look good and the numbers are impressive," he said at the launch of this year's Tourism Month.
Figures show that domestic tourism, which is the focus on the Tourism Month campaign, contributed R20 billion to the national economy last year. More than five million domestic trips were recorded in South Africa in the first quarter of 2012, injecting R5.2 billion to the economy.
"So as we can all see, we are doing much better than other parts of the world...this is because we are working together; we have a plan and we are executing that plan," van Schalkwyk said.
There was a need to encourage more South Africans to become tourists in their own country.
A message needed to be conveyed that tourism remained a major driver of jobs and the fastest growing sector of the economy.
Van Schalkwyk said for South Africa, the African market remained untapped and the next few years should lead to a more vigorous approach aimed attracting Africans to visit Mzansi.
"For us it is the market of the future, South Africa understands how important the African continent is, we can and we must do a lot more on the continent".
Tourism Month is celebrated annually during the month of September. The Eastern Cape, known for its attractive landscape, beautiful beaches and a wealth of natural resources, has been chosen as host of this year's main event later in the month.
A new campaign dubbed 'Vaya Mzansi' has been launched and offers more than 100 special offers and leisure deals to domestic tourists.
