Almost 4,800 people are being supported directly and indirectly by the 683 people employed by 16 luxury game lodges in six Southern African countries, according to a study by Sue Snyman, a researcher associated with the University of Cape Town’s environmental policy research unit. Although this study re-inforces others showing the importance of the sector in alleviating rural poverty, it has been a muted year for SA’s travel and tourism companies. Growth in tourism numbers has lagged the rand’s depreciation, which some tourism leaders have ascribed to onerous new visa regulations.The JSE’s travel and leisure index has gained 8% in the past year. Among the heavyweights, Tsogo Sun has added 12.78% to R26.39 for the year while Sun International has dropped 2.51% to R87.74. According to Statistics SA’s "Tourism Satellite Account for SA" released three weeks ago, about 711,746 people, or 4.5%, of SA’s workforce is employed in tourism. The African Development Bank’s annual Tourism Monitor...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.