There is so much to explore in South Africa this Summer!

MMinister of Tourism in South Africa, Honourable Patricia de Lille officially kicked off the Summer Season Campaign at an event that took place in Bloemfontein in the Free State province today, where she was also joined by various leaders from government and tourism private sector representatives.

The "Gimme Summer That Sho't Left" campaign is aimed at encouraging South Africans to explore their country by visiting various provinces, experiences, the wide variety of tourism experiences and establishments. The Summer Campaign is also targeted at inviting visitors from outside South Africa to explore all parts of South Africa.

Minister de Lille, together with the Department of Tourism and SA Tourism are committed to ensuring that the benefits of tourism are felt in all nine provinces. Minister de Lille intentionally selected to launch this year’s Summer Campaign in the Free State to give exposure to lesser-visited provinces and all the hidden gems and amazing attractions spread all over our beautiful Mzansi.

With a wide variety of affordable, quality travels offers, South African Tourism is using the Summer Campaign to invite all travellers to embrace the beauty and diversity of Mzansi   showcasing an array of refreshing escapes while capturing the spirit of adventure.

“At its core, our Summer Campaign focuses on promoting affordable, memorable travel experiences in Mzansi. We invite, both local and international tourists to explore our country and discover the many experiences including our natural wonders, cultural experiences as well both well-known and lesser-visited places and attractions. There are so many quality attractions and hidden gems in every province as well as unique experiences and things to see and do in our little towns, villages, townships and dorpies” says the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille.

A significant contributor to the economy, South Africa welcomed more than 5.8million tourists in the first eight months of 2024 marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to the latest international tourist arrival statistics. While 21.5 million trips were taken by South Africans to explore the country between January 2024 and July 2024, demonstrating that domestic tourism is the bedrock of the tourism sector.

“Through our various travel offers and campaigns executed in our various markets as well as here at home, we want to show that travel to and within South Africa is accessible and affordable.  The “Gimme Summer That Sho’t Left, campaign aims to foster a sense of national pride among South Africans by encouraging them to explore and get to know their country better and continue to warmly welcome visitors whose visits stimulates the economy and contributes to job creation in South Africa,” adds Minister de Lille.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Tourism's direct and indirect contribution to South Africa's GDP was 8.2% in 2023.  It is estimated to rise to 8.8% by the end of 2024 and reach 10.4% of GDP by 2030. Already in the first quarter of 2024, tourism’s direct and indirect contribution to south Africa’s GDP was 8.8%. 

Tourism is therefore a vital sector for South Africa, at times contributing more to GDP than transport, mining, and agriculture, and nearly matching the government's contribution to GDP.

The launch of the Summer Campaign was attended by the Premier of the Free State, Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Free State, Ketso Makume, various tourism industry stakeholders which included the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Fedhasa.

To take advantage of special travel offers, travelers can visit www.southafrica.net  or www.shotleft.co.za and be sure to enjoy this summer, take a Sho’t left, relax and rejuvenate and support the tourism sector in South Africa.

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Issued by South African Tourism

For further information, contact:

Zara Nicholson

Ministry of Tourism, Media Liaison Officer

Email: ZNicholson@tourism.gov.za

Mobile : +27 79 416 5996

OR

Thandiwe Mathibela         

Tel: +2711 895 3177

Email: mediaq@southafrica.net  

Email: thandiwe@southafrica.net

Note to editors: South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination, headed by Chief Executive Officer, Nombulelo Guliwe.