Tourism Industry Insights: September-October 2024 Report

Tourist Accommodation Performance

In September 2024, the tourist accommodation industry demonstrated robust growth, with total income increasing by 8.6% compared to the previous year. Key highlights include:

  • Accommodation income rose by 13.9% year-on-year
  • Stay unit nights sold increased by 3.5%
  • Average income per stay unit night grew by 10.1%

Primary contributors to growth were:

  • Hotels: 15.9% increase (9.1 percentage points)
  • Other accommodation: 12.9% increase (4.6 percentage points)

The third quarter of 2024 saw a 9.0% increase in accommodation income compared to 2023, with other accommodation and hotels leading the expansion.

Food and Beverage Industry Trends

The food and beverages sector experienced a different trajectory, with challenges in September 2024:

  • Total income decreased by 5.4% in real terms
  • Significant declines in ‘other’ income (-23.0%) and bar sales (-11.5%)
  • Restaurants and coffee shops saw a 6.6% reduction
  • Takeaway and fast-food outlets experienced a 4.3% decline

The third quarter showed a 3.0% overall income decrease, primarily driven by restaurant and coffee shop performance.

International Tourism Snapshot

October 2024 revealed considerable international travel activity through South African ports:

  • Total travellers: 2,365,952
  • Foreign travellers: 1,722,978
  • Total visitors: 891,341
  • Overnight tourists: 705,257

Visitor breakdown by region:

  • Overseas: 189,575
  • SADC countries: 499,446
  • Other African countries: 15,132
  • Unspecified: 1,104

These statistics provide a comprehensive overview of South Africa’s tourism and hospitality sectors during the specified period.

1] StatsSA Tourist Accommodation reports for September 2024

Download addresses –

Tourist accommodation – Key findings – https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1856&PPN=P6410&SCH=73738

Tourist accommodation – Full publication – https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P6410/P6410September2024.pdf

2] StatsSA Food & Beverage reports for September 2024

Download addresses –

Food & Beverage: Key findings – https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1856&PPN=P6420&SCH=73740

Food & Beverage: Full publication – https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P6420/P6420September2024.pdf

3] StatsSA – International Tourism report for October 2024

Download address –

Key findings – https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1856&PPN=P0350&SCH=73937

Full publication – https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1856&PPN=P0350&SCH=73937

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