At the Grand Finale of the 18th annual World Travel Awards in Qatar on Wednesday, 11 January 2012 South Africa was awarded 7 prestigious prizes.

The winners are:

Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa - World's Leading Boutique Hotel
www.saxon.co.za

Shamwari Game Reserve - World's Leading Conservation Company
www.shamwari.com

Shamwari Game Reserve - World's Leading Safari and Game Reserve
www.shamwari.com

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve (Dwyka Tented Lodge) - World's Leading Eco-Lodge
www.sanbona.com

Thanda Private Game Reserve - World's Leading Luxury Lodge
www.thanda.com

The Regent - World's Leading Residential Apartments
www.theregent.co.za

South Africa - World's Leading Sports Tourism Destination
www.southafrica.net

More information: http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2011-1

Monday, 09 January 2012

Photo copyright: Worren Rohner

There was a 2% increase in the number of travellers moving in and out of South Africa in December compared to the same period last year, the Department of Home Affairs said last week.

The department recorded 3.7 million travellers on its computer system in December, Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said in a statement. Of these, over 2.5 million were foreigners and 1.2 million were locals. These numbers include both arrivals and departures.

The majority of visitors came from Southern African Development Community countries, but there was also steady inflow from the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Germany.

Most of the movement into and out of the country was through OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport, the Beit Bridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe, the Lebombo border post into Mozambique, Ficksburg and Maseru Bridge into Lesotho, Oshoek and Golela into Swaziland, and Kopfontein and Ramatlabama into Botswana.

Dlamini-Zuma wished all travellers a safe journey. "I am confident all travellers enjoyed the warmth, hospitality and ubuntu of our people as well as the diversity and magnificence of our flora and fauna."

The Western Cape's Tourism Marketing Agency, meanwhile, said it has seen a rise in domestic tourism in the province. The province's tourism industry has flourished since the start of December.

Tourist attractions such as Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Langebaan continue to be some of the most popular areas. Cape Town Route Unlimited's Calvyn Gilfellan said they are expecting an increase of between 5% and 8% this year.

SA - the Good News via SAPA

6 January 2012

In September 2011, South Africa received 3 368 Portuguese visitors, a 17.1% increase compared to the same month of 2010, despite decreasing between May and August 2011.

According to the latest data released by South African Tourism, the majority of tourists who visited South Africa in September 2011came from Southern Africa, followed by the United Kingdom, with 29 694 visitors ( -4.3%), the United States, with 25 395 (+9.2%), Germany, with 18 563 (+13.9%) and, finally, Australia, with 10 719 tourists (-12.1%).

Overall, Europe contributed with 93 069 arrivals, less 0.5% compared to September 2010.

More information:

- Tourist arrivals September 2011:
http://www.southafrica.net/sat/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=252746

- Key findings: P0351 - Tourism and Migration, September 2011:
http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0351/P0351September2011.pdf

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Table Mountain is a New7Wonder of Nature!

The New7Wonders of Nature are:

1. Amazon

2. Halong Bay

3. Iguazu Falls

4. Jeju Island

5. Komodo

6. Puerto Princesa Underground River

7. Table Mountain