I would like to extend a personal invitation to you to come and see for yourself the splendor of South Africa. I know that my people will be delighted to welcome you and I think you will be enchanted by their warmth and hospitality. I am equally sure that you will enjoy our culture, our cuisine and the warmth of our people."

Nelson Mandela, Former President of The Republic of South Africa

Tourism is internationally accepted as one of the world's fastest growing industries. After years of isolation, South Africa has emerged as a highly attractive tourist destination, full of promise and potential, and is striving to position itself within this high growth global industry as a world-class contender.

South Africa attracts more tourists than any other country in Africa. The country's scenic beauty and wildlife remain the biggest attractions for international tourists. Tourism is the fourth-biggest industry in South Africa supporting some 1200 hotels, 2000 guest-houses and 8000 restaurants.

South Africa has become one of the most popular big-game hunting regions in the world. It offers a great variety of trophy hunters, including the Big Five, namely elephant, white rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo, as well as 26 species of antelope.

A variety of promotional material on South Africa is available. Comprehensive guides and maps cover all the regions and all aspects of interest to tourists, including accommodation.

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Pilanesberg, only an hour and a half by car from Johannesburg and Pretoria lies one of South Africa’s most scenic locations in the North West Province. Sun City is a world unto itself and has earned it’s reputation as Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure.

Whatever you want, you’ll find it at Sun City from sizzling entertainment, world-class casino’s and restaurants to cater for all tastes, to more relaxed poolside venues, quiet places, lush botanical gardens and extensive sporting facilities including the Valley of Waves and two world-class golf courses. These are just some of the elements that make Sun City unique to the world's entertainment resorts.

The wide choice of conference venues and hotel accommodation from the Palace of the Lost City to the informal Sun City Cabanas as well as uncompromising standards and professionalism, ensure a level of convention and banqueting facilities which few can beat.

SA is preferred world tourist destination (Business Day Online)
SA has bucked global trends by recording a 10,7% increase in international foreign tourists between January and April, when numbers were declining sharply worldwide amid a US-led war on Iraq and the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

This is according to a Deloitte & Touche survey, which found that SA attracted 789271 international visitors in the first quarter of this year.

The figures, based on air arrivals, indicate that SA is growing in status as a preferred world tourist destination, and that SA Tourism's aggressive marketing drive in the UK is starting to pay off. It also signals a boost in tourism revenue, which is expected to rise substantially by the end of the year if tourist numbers climb beyond the current rate. Europe remained the main source of visitors to SA, with France topping the arrival list with 34,3%, followed by the Netherlands at 17%, the UK at 15,7% and Germany at 6,7%.

However, Asia is fast becoming one of SA's key growth markets, with Asian visitors increasing 22%. Arrivals from India alone were up 94%, helped by visitors to the Cricket World Cup.

More significantly, the number of visitors from Africa, excluding Southern African Development Community countries, rose 13,8% an indication that SA is becoming a preferred shopping and leisure destination for African travellers.

Comparatively, SA attracted only 2,18-million foreigners, including African travellers, last year and 1,83-million the previous year.

Explore Africa with South African Airways
South African Airways flies to SA twice daily every day of the week in a code share partnership with Emirates Airlines. South African Airways provides a direct service from Dubai to Johannesburg, and from there on to its wide network within South Africa and beyond. Take your pick from a choice of 14 flights to the nation that is a “World in one country.”

Flight Schedule
DUBAI – JOHANNESBURG

JOHANNESBURG – DUBAI

For further information, please contact SAA at:
Dubai: Telephone: 04 - 3970766, Fax: 04 3970549
Abu Dhabi: Telephone: 02 – 6766996, Fax: 02 6766990
or visit www.saa.co.za