South Africa’s biggest overseas source market, the United Kingdom, recovered from an overall decline in 2011 to post positive returns of 9,5% – with 133 729 tourists visiting South Africa in the first three months of 2012.

South Africa also continued to enjoy growth from the emerging markets during the first quarter of this year. Brazil posted 71, 7% growth, India grew by 23, 1% and tourist arrivals from China increased by 67, 7%.  In total, the regional Asian market returned tourist arrival growth of more than 43%, delivering 85 189 tourists against 59 549 tourists for the same three months last year.

Tourist arrivals from regional African tourist markets also achieved positive growth rates of 7, 9%, with Angola up 48, 5%, Nigeria showing 26, 7% growth and Tanzania with 31, 4% growth. The three stood out as exceptional continental-market achievers in the first three months of the year.