Tourist Accommodation Grows as Food and Beverage Sector Dips in South Africa.
Recent reports from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) reveal contrasting trends in the country’s tourism and hospitality sectors for July 2024.
The tourist accommodation industry saw a modest uptick, with total income rising by 2.4% compared to July 2023. Notably, income from accommodation surged by 7.7% year-on-year, driven by an 11.1% increase in average income per stay unit night sold.
Other accommodation providers led the growth, contributing 5.6 percentage points with a 17.2% increase, while hotels added 1.5 percentage points with a 2.4% rise. The three-month period ending July 2024 showed an 8.1% increase in accommodation income compared to the same period last year.
However, the sector faced a slight setback as seasonally adjusted income from accommodation decreased by 2.9% month-on-month in July, following June’s 6.0% increase.
In contrast, the food and beverage industry experienced a downturn. Measured in real terms (constant 2019 prices), total income decreased by 0.7% year-on-year in July 2024. ‘Other’ income saw the largest decline at 10.8%, while bar sales provided a silver lining with a 7.5% increase.
Catering services and takeaway and fast-food outlets were the main contributors to the decline, decreasing by 5.4% and 1.4% respectively. Restaurants and coffee shops showed resilience with a slight 0.7% growth.
Despite the monthly dip, the food and beverage sector showed some positive signs over a longer period. The three months ending July 2024 saw a 1.5% increase in total income compared to the same period in 2023, with restaurants, coffee shops, and takeaway outlets driving this growth.
However, the industry faced immediate challenges as seasonally adjusted income fell by 3.2% in July compared to June, following two months of positive growth.
These figures paint a picture of a tourism sector gradually recovering, while the food and beverage industry grapples with short-term fluctuations amidst broader economic pressures.
StatsSA Food & Beverage reports for July 2024
Download addresses –
Food & Beverage: Key findings – https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1856&PPN=P6420&SCH=73722
Food & Beverage: Full publication – https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P6420/P6420July2024.pdf
StatsSA Tourist Accommodation reports for July 2024
Download addresses –
Tourist accommodation – Key findings – https://www.statssa.gov.za/page_id=1856&PPN=P6410&SCH=73720
Tourist accommodation – Full publication –https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P6410/P6410July2024.pdf
