Domestic tourists continue to account for the majority of visitors to South Africa’s national parks, according to SANParks Managing Director Property Mokoena.
Mokoena was speaking to Newsnote during the launch of a R6-million zipline at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in Clarens, Free State on Saturday.
He said the trend of domestic tourism dominating SANParks visitor numbers had been evident for some time, with South Africans making up about 70% of visitors.
“About 70% of our visitors are domestic, so it’s more South Africans visiting our national parks,” Mokoena said.
He said the strong domestic market had also helped SANParks recover quickly from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
International tourists, particularly from Germany and the United Kingdom, also continue to visit SANParks’ national parks.
Mokoena said the newly launched zipline was expected to strengthen Golden Gate’s appeal as an adventure tourism destination.
The R6-million attraction is aimed at encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend more in the area.
“We expect our guests to spend more days, an average of four days at least,” he said.
Mokoena said SANParks welcomes about six million visitors across its 21 national parks every year.
Calls for more cultural tourism
Golden Gate Highlands National Park Manager Paddy Gordon said South Africa could attract more international tourists by placing greater emphasis on its culture and history.
Gordon said countries such as Morocco and Egypt had successfully incorporated local culture into their tourism offerings.
He warned that South Africa should avoid focusing too heavily on luxury accommodation while overlooking authentic cultural experiences.
“I think North Africa hasn’t fallen to that trap. They mix their tourism accommodation with the culture of their people,” Gordon said.
He said tourists should be given more opportunities to experience South Africa’s history, culture and hospitality rather than simply moving from one luxury establishment to another.
Gordon believes stronger links between tourism, local communities and cultural heritage could help South Africa become a more attractive destination for international visitors.
The launch of the zipline forms part of efforts to expand the range of adventure experiences available at Golden Gate Highlands National Park while encouraging visitors to stay longer and explore the surrounding area.
