South African Tourism has expressed optimism that visitor arrivals will witness growth as the country gears up for 2010.
The organisation predicts that foreign arrivals will continue to grow, but probably at slower rates than previously in line with the World Travel Organisation’s (UNWTO) forecast that global growth will soften over the next two to three years. 
This was disclosed by Moeketsi Mosola, South African Tourism chief executive officer.
 He said South Africa recorded its highest number of arrivals in 2007 at 9,090,881 foreign arrivals (an 8.3 per cent increase on 2006 arrival figures).
‘’South Africa is a well-positioned destination. Based on our brand tracking research, visitors to South Africa continue to show high levels of satisfaction with our tourism offering. This bodes well for the future growth of our industry and our status as FIFA 2010 World Cup hosts entrenches our status as a capable and accessible destination’’ he said.
The performance exceeded the global average of 6.6 percent and shifted South Africa from 29th to 28th position in global tourism destination rankings, he stated.
 He observed that the growth in air arrivals (13.7 per cent) was greater than land arrivals (nine percent) in 2007.
 According to him, the highest growth in the sector was recorded in Europe with 31 682 representing 2.3 percent more arrivals, followed by Asia and Australasia at 31 387 arrivals (representing 10.4per cent) and the Americas with 29 283 (8.2 percent) more arrivals.
 Mosola stated that all African air markets performed well with most markets reaching double-digit growth in 2007.
He observed that ‘’the land markets in Africa also showed good growth with the exception of Namibia and Zimbabwe that each declined by less than two percent. Revenue from foreign arrivals dropped by R6.5 billion (9.8 percent) last year. The major decline was out of Africa land markets as wholesale and personal shopping declined.
Out Of the R60,5 billion revenue that tourism generated last year, approximately R36 billion was derived from Africa land arrivals; approximately R2.5 billion was derived from Africa air arrivals. The remaining approximate R21 billion was derived from overseas tourists. Revenue generated from all air arrivals increased by 6.2 per cent or R1.4 billion’’.
 He said expenditure on accommodation decreased by 8.3 per cent (approximately R800 million less) as visitors chose more affordable lodgings (such as B and BS, self-catering accommodation and hostels) during their stay in South Africa.
 They spent fewer nights in game lodges and premier-priced hotels, he said.
 Mosola observed that the amount Spent by SADC and other African tourists recorded the largest decline (17.8 per cent or 7.9 billion) as more people from the region travelled to South Africa but spent less per day. He said the emergence of South African retailers and wholesalers in neighbouring countries is expected to have an impact on declining spending patterns going forward as they tourists don’t need to travel to South Africa anymore to shop for basics. 
 He maintained that based on this trend, South African Tourism has adopted a strategy aimed at growing the   leisure market in those countries adding that  the strategy is underpinned by an integrated marketing  campaign which will commence in August 2008.
According to Mosola, the past few years have also seen a declining trend in average total foreign direct spending (1.2 per cent down) among long-haul arrivals, while the average prepaid expenditure increased by 3.6 per cent over the same period, due to the increasing costs of air travel.