Tourism
From The Report: South Africa 2016
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South Africa’s tourism sector has come to rival the country’s mining industry in terms of overall contribution to GDP, with 2014 witnessing record levels of foreign arrivals, drawn in by the country’s natural beauty, outdoor attractions, food and culture – and increasingly by its business and conference facilities. The sector faced a significant decline in 2015, however, with stringent new visa regulations impacting visitor figures and threatening the loss of thousands of jobs and millions in revenues. In spite of the regulations’ expected impact on the industry, a significant number of positive indicators, particularly in the Cape Town area, could help some operators weather the worst of the near-term shocks.

This chapter contains an interview with Clifford Ross, CEO, City Lodge Hotel Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A challenge to growth: New visa rules prove to be a barrier to sector expansion
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A powerhouse industry, major employer and economic mainstay during troubled times, South Africa’s tourism sector has risen to rival its mining sector in terms of overall contribution to GDP, with 2014 witnessing record levels of foreign visitor arrivals, drawn in by the country’s natural beauty, outdoor attractions, food and culture, and increasingly by its business and conference facilities. However, a dramatic turnaround was witnessed in the sector in 2015, caused by stringent new visa regulations…

Interview

A trip worth making: OBG talks to Clifford Ross, CEO, City Lodge Hotel Group
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Interview: Clifford Ross Has the rapid increase in the inventory of hotels changed the dynamics of the industry? CLIFFORD ROSS: The rapid increase in hotel inventory prior to the 2010 World Cup, together with the world economic crisis, which started in October 2008, resulted in an oversupply of rooms in the system. As is always the case in situations like these, discipline in applying rates is the first thing to give way. This led to a “fight for survival” within the industry and the consequent…

Analysis

High expectations: South Africa aims to become a top business travel destination
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Although South Africa’s scenery, wildlife, beaches and wine have kept leisure tourism as the sector’s key contributor, business tourism is on the rise. Recognised as an important untapped segment within the powerhouse that is South Africa’s tourism industry, business tourism has become a key priority for the government in recent years, and it is hoping that by targeting business travel, the number of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) events will increase over the next…