Cape Town, South Africa - Tourist arrivals to South Africa increased to more than eight million in 2010, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Tuesday. “We are delighted with these strong growth figures, particularly as it comes so soon after a global economic recession,” Van Schalkwyk said at a media briefing in Cape Town. He said tourist arrivals rose to 8,073,552 compared with 7,011,865 in 2009.

'From the results of our survey on arrivals during the World Cup, we know that more than 309,000 tourists arrived for the primary purpose of the World Cup,” the minister said.

He said tourist arrivals from North and South America grew the fastest, followed by Asia and Australasia.

The UK, USA, Germany, the Netherlands and France remain the top five overseas source markets.

'Considerable work has already begun across the sector as we now look to maintain the momentum and interest in our valued, world class destination,' he added.

Pana 03/03/2011