National vector fabric wave flags of Ghana and Republic of South Africa isolated on white background. 1 to 2 proportion.
Ghana’s growing presence in South Africa’s tourism sector is making waves, as new data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) reveals a notable rise in Ghanaian visitors.
Between January and March 2024, Ghana registered a 249.4% increase in tourist arrivals to South Africa compared to the same period in 2023, totaling 7,904 arrivals. This surge comes amid the recently introduced visa-waiver scheme between Ghana and South Africa, implemented on November 1, 2023.
The visa-waiver, allowing Ghanaians to travel to South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days per year for business or tourism, has been a game-changer in fostering tourism between the two countries. South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, acknowledged Ghana’s impressive rise in visitor numbers and attributed it to both the ease of travel enabled by the waiver and targeted marketing initiatives aimed at promoting South Africa to Ghanaians.
“The visa-waiver scheme and strategic marketing efforts by South African Tourism have created a winning formula for our tourism sector,” de Lille remarked, noting the significance of Ghana’s growth as a testament to the value of mutual tourism cooperation.
Across Africa, South Africa welcomed 1.8 million arrivals from the continent during the first quarter of 2024, marking 74.5% of all international arrivals. Besides Ghana, Zimbabwe stood out with a 21.8% increase, recording 613,675 arrivals. Together, these numbers underscore the rising interest from African tourists, who are drawn by South Africa’s diverse attractions and increasing accessibility.
Zara Nicholson, spokesperson for South Africa’s Department of Tourism, highlighted the report’s broader significance. “Africa leads the way in supporting South Africa’s tourism resurgence,” she noted, pointing to the continent’s role in driving a 15.4% increase in overall international arrivals compared to the previous year.
With tourism as a critical pillar for economic growth and cross-cultural exchange, Ghana and South Africa’s strengthened ties pave the way for continued progress and expanded opportunities for both nations. The ongoing impact of the visa-waiver program and collaborative tourism initiatives will likely continue to attract even more Ghanaians to South Africa, enhancing both the tourism landscape and economic potential in the region.