Latest figures from Statistics South Africa – released on Tuesday (May 25) – show that a total of 635 758 travellers (arrivals, departures and transits) passed through South African ports of entry/exit in March.
They were made up of 214 865 South African residents and 420 893 foreign travellers. A further breakdown of the figures for South African residents shows 103 933 arrivals, 110 871 departures and 61 travellers in transit.
The statistics did not indicate which regional or international countries were most visited by South Africans. But recent reports by South African Tourism and the African Travel and Tourism Association show increased numbers of South Africans visiting SADC countries and East Africa.
Volumes
For outbound travellers, the volume of arrivals decreased by 66,9% (from 314 022 in March 2020 to 103 933 in March 2021). Departures decreased by 60,9% (from 283 691 in March 2020 to 110 871 in March 2021) and transits decreased by 87,6% (from 492 in March 2020 to 61 in March 2021).
A comparison between February 2021 and March 2021 indicates the volume of arrivals and departures increased for both foreign and domestic travellers.
For South African travellers, the volume of arrivals increased by 60,0% (from 64 943 in February 2021 to 103 933 in March 2021), departures increased by 66,2% (from 66 694 in February 2021 to 110 871 in March 2021) and transits increased by 8,9% (from 56 in February 2021 to 61 in March 2021).
Mode of transport
In March, road transport was the most common mode of travel used by 481 462 (75,7%) of the 635 758 travellers. The total number of air travellers was 149 776 (23,6%). A small number of travellers, 4 520 (0,7%) used sea transport.
Information on arrivals of South African residents shows that 29 835 (28,7%) came by air and 73 906 (71,1%) came by road.
