Zimbabweans Flock to South Africa in Record Numbers: Over Half A Million Enter Legally
In the first quarter of 2024, South Africa welcomed more than 613,000 Zimbabwean tourists, marking them as the largest group of visitors from Africa to the continent’s largest economy, according to data from South Africa’s tourism ministry.
During this period, a total of 1.8 million African tourists visited South Africa, with Zimbabweans accounting for a significant portion, representing a 21.8% increase compared to 2023.
Notably, arrivals from Ghana to South Africa surged by 249%, reaching 7,904 visitors.
The tourism ministry reported,
“South Africa welcomed 1.8 million tourist arrivals from the rest of the African continent between January and March 2024, marking a significant 74.5% of all arrivals. Zimbabwe and Ghana stood out for their remarkable growth, with Zimbabwe experiencing a 21.8% increase in tourist arrivals to South Africa when compared to the first three months of 2023, totalling 613,675 arrivals, while Ghana recorded a 249,4% increase when compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 7,904 arrivals for January to March 2024.”
The reasons behind Ghana’s impressive performance can be attributed to a visa-waiver scheme implemented between South Africa and Ghana on November 1, 2023. This policy allows for visa-free travel for up to 90 days within a calendar year, primarily for business or tourism purposes. The success of this initiative, combined with targeted marketing efforts by South African Tourism, has proven to be a winning formula for attracting visitors from the Ghanaian market.
Although the ministry did not provide specific reasons for the influx of Zimbabwean visitors during the period, it is clear that South Africa continues to be a favoured destination for travellers from Zimbabwe.
Furthermore, South Africa’s appeal extends beyond the African continent. Tourist arrivals from the Americas totalled 118,194 during January to March 2024, reflecting a growth of 12.4% compared to the same period in 2023. Similarly, European arrivals reached 420,727, showing an 8.6% increase over the previous year. The United Kingdom remains the biggest European source market, with 125,420 tourists choosing South Africa, representing a growth rate of 5.3% compared to 2023.
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