Namibia: Massive 89.4% decline of tourist arrivals in 2020!

The Namibian Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, announced on the occasion of the virtual launch of the National Tourist Arrival Statistics Report 2020, the Tourism Revival Initiative (TRI) Report for the period September 2020 to March 2021 and the COVID-19 Socio-Economic Impact Assessment on Tourism in Namibia for 2020 on 11 August 2021, that Namibia recorded at total of 192,026 foreign arrivals in 2020, of which 169,565 were recorded as tourists. The total tourist arrivals of 169,565 represent a massive 89.4% decline in comparison to the 1,595,973 tourist arrivals of 2019. 81.0% of these tourists were recorded between January and March 2020 meaning before the State of Emergency and lockdown issued for the 1st time in Namibia. 

According to Minister Shifeta, South Africa overtook Angola to become the main African source market providing 28.6% of total tourists to Namibia in 2020. Germany retained their position as the key overseas tourist market by 11.6% of total tourist arrivals.
The Tourism Revival Initiative (TRI) Statistics Report for the period September 2020 to March 2021 recorded 61,663 tourist arrivals in Namibia.

South Africa: Status of the rhino population in the Kruger National Park

update (28 Nov 2014): South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the successful completion of the first phase of the Strategic Rhino Translocation Programme in the Kruger National Park. [more]

According to the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa is home to 82% of Africa's rhino, 93% of Africa's white rhino and 39% of Africa's black rhino. As of 2012, South Africa's rhino population was estimated at 21 000. Based on the latest population survey (2013) in the Kruger National Park, about 8 400 and 9 600 white rhinos are presently living in the National Park. Poaching, natural deaths and the translocation of rhino from the Kruger National Park presently match that of rhino births. This means that the rhino population in the Kruger National Park has stabilised.

South African National Parks: Visitor statistics for December 2013

South African National Parks (SANParks) has published some key tourism performance indicators for December 2013. According to the statistics a total of 692,498 guests passed through the gates of South Africa's National Parks during the month. Of these, 73,910 guests spent a minimum of one night inside a National Park.

• South African National Parks - 692,498 guests in December 2013
• guests spent a minimum of one night inside a National Park - 73,910 in December 2013
• accommodation unit occupancy - 77.4% in December 2013
• bed occupancy - 65.3% in December 2013 
• camping facilities occupancy - 65.9%  in December 2013 
• Table Mountain National Park - 333,090 guests in December 2013
• Kruger National Park - 180,328 guests in December 2013
• accommodation units occupancy - 80.2% in December 2013
• campsites occupancy - 70.7% in December 2013
• Garden Route National Park - 63,414 guests in December 2013 
• accommodation unit occupancy - 86.8% in December 2013
• campsite occupancy - 69.5% in December 2013
• West Coast National Park unit occupanciy - 90%+ in December 2013
• Addo Elephant National Park unit occupanciy - 90%+ in December 2013
• Karoo National Park unit occupanciy - 90%+ in December 2013

IUCN releases rhino statistics (Africa)

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has released some interesting (African) rhino statistics in a recent press release. A sum up:

• number of Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in Africa: 5,055
• number of  White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) in Africa: 20,405
• number of rhinos poached in Africa 2012: 754
• number of rhinos poached in South Africa 2012: 668
• number of rhinos poached in Africa since 2006: nearly 2,400
• increase of rhino poaching between 2011 and 2012: 43%
• loss of rhino population in 2012: 3%
• frequency of rhino killings so far in 2013: 1 in every 11hrs

Experts predict that if poaching continues to increase at this rate, rhino populations could start to decline in less than two years’ time.

The IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organisation, with more than 1,000 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN's work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. The organisation publishes the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, which assesses the conservation status of species.

Cape Town's "Big Six" icons had over two million visitors in November 2012

The City of Cape Town has released some impressive tourism statistics about Cape Town. According to the stats, over two million people have visited Cape Town’s six biggest attractions in November 2012 alone. Furthermore, all of Cape Town's so-called "Big Six" icons reported growth on 2011’s November figures. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens visitor numbers, for instance, were up by more than 13% from last year.

• V&A Waterfront recorded over 1.8 million visitors in Nov 2012
• Table Mountain recorded just over 90 000 visitors in Nov 2012
• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens recorded 70 745 visitors in Nov 2012
• Cape Point recorded 37 600 visitors in Nov 2012
• Robben Island recorded 31 870 visitors in Nov 2012
• Groot Constantia recorded over 20 000 visitors in Nov 2012

Cape Town, get ready for a superbusy rest of the season!

South African Airways: Best on-time performance in 12 years!

South Africa's flag carrier South African Airways (SAA) has published some performance statistics at the INDABA in Durban, one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar.
According to SAA CEO Siza Mzimela, the passenger revenue in the last quarter of the 2011/2012 financial year showed a 20% increase and the on-time performance (87%) was the best in 12 years. The number of mishandled bags dicreased by 8%, while passenger complaints were down by 13% and passenger compliments went up by 10%.
South African Airways, together with its regional partners SA Express and Airlink, are currently offering flights to 70 destinations in Africa, Asia, America, Australia and Europe. South African Airways operates the biggest route network in Africa and flies to more destinations, both overseas and within South Africa, than anyone else. The airline is the currently the only African airline to be ranked a 4-star rating by the independent research consultancy firm Skytrax.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: 210 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2012

South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and South African National Parks (SANParks) have published the current number of rhinos poached in South Africa since the beginning of 2012. According to their official statistics, a total of 210 rhinos got illegally killed in South Africa this year so far. About a month ago, the number of rhinos killed by poachers stood at 159. The Kruger National Park alone has lost a disturbing total of 127 (95) rhinos since January 2012. Encouragingly, the number of arrests continues to rise, with the arrests for 2012 now totaling 128 (90 arrests).

Latest rhino poaching figures (as of 07 May 2012):

• Kruger National Park (SANParks) - 127 rhinos poached
• Mapungubwe National Park (SANParks) - 3 rhinos poached
• Gauteng - 0 rhinos poached
• Limpopo - 29 rhinos poached
• Mpumalanga - 6 rhinos poached
• North-West Province - 19 rhinos poached
• Eastern Cape - 3 rhinos poached
• Free State - 0 rhinos poached
• KwaZulu Natal - 22 rhinos poached
• Western Cape - 1 rhinos poached
• Northern Cap - 0 rhinos poached

South Africa: 181 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2012

According to the latest figures published by South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), 181 rhinos were illegally killed by poachers in South Africa so far in 2012 (as of 19 Apr 2012). Compared to the stats published on 04 April, a shocking number of 12 more rhinos got killed in just over two weeks.
The  Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of the losses with 111 rhinos having being killed illegally since the beginning of this year. A total of 113 suspected poachers have been arrested since the beginning of 2012 (23 more than 15 days ago).

also read:

South Africa: New rhino laws gazetted (16 Apr 2012) >>

EU announces firm restrictions on rhino horn trade (14 March 2012) >>

South Africa: 159 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2012

South Africa's Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Wednesday (04 April 2012) that the number of rhinos poached in the country this year stands at the "alarming figure" of 159. 95 out of the 159 rhinos got killed by poachers in Kruger National Park alone.

"This is no longer an environmental management problem ONLY, but it has become a matter in which we have involved all law enforcement agencies. Operation Rhino continues and remains a standing agenda item of the National Joints Committee (Nat Joints Com), which comprises of senior members of SAPS Organised Crime Unit, The Hawks, NPA and the South African National Defence Force."

Minister Edna Molewa said furthermore that 90 people had been arrested for poaching this year in South Africa. Click here for her full statement.
Compared to the last stats published 6 days ago, 9 more rhinos have been illegally killed in South Africa, but no additional arrests of poachers have been made. Shocking!

South Africa: 150 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2012

South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has published the latest statistics on rhino poaching in South Africa. According to the Department, to date (29 March 2012) a total of 150 rhinos have been killed for the illegal trade in rhino horn in South Africa. The Kruger National Park has suffered the greatest losses with the poaching toll having reached 87. A total of 90 alleged poachers was arrested so far in 2012. Compared to the last stats published 10 days ago, 15 more rhinos have been illegally killed in South Africa and only one more poacher has been arrested. Shocking!

South Africa: 135 rhinos lost to poaching

South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs has published the latest statistics on rhino poaching in South Africa. According to the Department, to date (19 March 2012) a total of 135 rhinos have been killed for the illegal trade in rhino horn in South Africa.
The Kruger National Park continues to be the hardest hit victim of rhino poaching in South Africa - 75 rhinos have been lost to poaching in the park. Since January 2012, 89 poachers (20 in Kruger) have been arrested and others have already been sentenced are serving prison terms.

• KNP (SANParks) > 75
• MNP (SANParks) > 3
• Gauteng    > 0
• Limpopo > 17
• Mpumalanga > 3
• North West > 15
• Eastern Cape > 3
• Free State > 0
• KwaZulu Natal > 18
• Western Cape > 1
• Northern Cape > 0

405 rhinos have been poached in South Africa to date

update (13 Jan 2012): According to the online edition of "The Guardian" (UK), 448 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2011, meaning one rhino was lost to illegal hunting every 20 hours...

update (30 Dec 2011): The street value of rhino horns is currently around $65000/kg, making it more expensive than gold, platinum and in many cases cocaine.

update (22 Dec 2011): According to South Africa's Private Rhino Owners Association, around 435 rhinos have been killed by poachers in South Africa in 2011. [src.]

update (15 Dec 2011): According to National Geographic's Daily News from 14 Dec 2011, 443 (433) rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2011 sofar. Out of the 443 rhinos killed in the whole of South Afirca, 244 rhinos were killed in Kruger National Park. [src.]

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that a total of 405 rhinos have been poached throughout South Africa to date (06 Dec 2011).
The number of rhinos poached is up by approximately 21.6% from the 333 of the previous year, against an increase of 173% and 47% for 2010 and 2009 respectively. The number of arrests of alleged poachers has also increased from the previous year by approximately 27.3% to 210, from 165 in 2010.
Kruger National Park is the hardest hit area in South Africa with a total loss of 229 rhinos so far. 66 rhinos were poached in Limpopo, 31 in KwaZulu Natal and 26 in Mpumalanga. (via SANParks)

• Kruger NP - 229 rhinos (77 poachers arrested)
• Limpopo - 66 rhinos (26 poachers arrested)
• KwaZulu Natal - 31 rhinos (4 poachers arrested)
• Mpumalanga - 26 rhinos (66 poachers arrested)
• North West - 20 rhinos (21 poachers arrested)
• Eastern Cape - rhinos 11 (2 poachers arrested)
• Gauteng - 9 rhinos (14 poachers arrested)
• Marakele NP - rhinos 5 (0 poachers arrested)
• Western Cape - rhinos 4 (0 poachers arrested)
• Northern Cape - rhinos 0 (0 poachers arrested)

South Africa: tourist arrival growth in January 2011

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has released the arrival statistics for January 2011 and, despite all rumours, the statistics are showing a growth in tourist arrivals in South Africa.
Total arrivals for the period grew by 9,3% from 729056 to 796526, with overseas arrivals accounting for 179493 of the total, a 7% increase from the January 2010 total of 167706.

The top 10 overseas source markets for January 2011:

1. UK - 7,6% from 42246 to 39041
2. Germany + 12,3% from 18987 to 21313
3. US + 10,8% from 15963 to 17685
4. The Netherlands - 4,4% from 10882 to 10400
5. France + 6,2% from 8506 to 9036
6. Australia + 32,1% from 6469 to 8544
7. India + 62% from 3961 to 6415
8. Sweden + 5,9% from 4997 to 5292
9. China + 33,1% from 3733 to 4968
10. Canada + 9,9% from 4103 to 4508

Poachers killed 71 rhinos in 2011 in South Africa so far

The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced that South Africa has lost to that date (14 March 2011) a total of 71 rhinos to poachers.
In the same period 64 suspected poachers have been arrested. In 2010 South Africa lost 333 rhinos and arrested 164 suspected poachers.

• Kruger NP - 46 rhinos killed (32 arrests of suspected poachers)
• Gauteng - 0 rhino (4)
• Limpopo - 9 rhinos (7)
• Mpumalanga - 1 rhino (4)
• North West Province - 1 rhino (16)
• Eastern Cape - 6 rhinos (0)
• Free State - 1 rhino (0)
• KwaZulu Natal - 6 rhinos (1)
• Western Cape - 1 rhino (0)

Kruger National Park info guide >>
Kruger National Park tours >>
accommodation in the Kruger NP area >>

15.1% more arrivals in South Africa in 2010 compared to 2009

South Africa's Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced some more tourism stats for 2010 in a media briefing at Parliament on 01 March 2011.

• South Africa saw a total of 8 073 552 arrivals in 2010
• it was only 7.3 Mio between Jan and Nov 2010, so South Africa welcomed another 700 000 visitors in Dec 2010. Not bad!
• that is an increase by 15.1% compared to 2009 (7 011 865 arrivals)
• UNWTO estimates global tourism arrivals to have grown by 6.7% in 2010

The Top 10 overseas markets for 2010:

1. UK + 1,5% -  from 446 369 to 453 030
2. USA + 22,6% -  from 230 324 to 282 377
3. Germany + 24,7% - from 194 034 to 242 028
4. The Netherlands + 8,4% - from 114 431 to 124 088
5. France + 14,4% - from 100 890 to 115 401
6. Australia + 30,4% - from 82 753 to 107 905
7. India + 29,7% - from 55 203 to 71 587
8. China + 90,7% - from 34 561 to 65 920
9. Canada + 21,9% - from 45 330 to 55 263
10. Italy + 8,6% - from 50 303 to 54 641

The Top 5 arrivals from African markets:

1. Zimbabwe + 137,3% - from 1 227 631 to 2912 957
2. Lesotho +  21,7% - from 1 048 550 to 1 275 838
3. Mozambique +  6,9% - from 983 739 to 1 051 502
4. Swaziland - 0,6% - from 636 593 to 632 490
5. Botswana + 4,7% - from 484 258 to 507 042

7.3 million tourists visited South Africa 2010

South Africa's minister of tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, mentioned some current statistics on South African tourism in his speech at the opening ceremony of Meetings Africa 2011, Africa's business tourism lekgotla (a consultative process between groups pursuing a common goal), at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

• Over 7.3 million tourists visited South Africa between January and November 2010
• Tourism contributed an estimated 7.7% to South Africa's Gross Domestic Product in 2010
• South Africa has already secured almost 200 meetings and conferences in South Africa over the next five years, attracting more than 300,000 delegates to the country.
• The potential economic impact of these confirmed meetings and conferences is more than R1.6 billion
• In 2009, approximately 500,000 business tourists came to South Africa, about 4.7% of total tourist arrivals. 
• This represents a total economic value of about R4 billion with business tourists spending an average of R5,300 during their stay in South Africa. 
• The average length of stay business tourists also increased from 4.6 nights in 2009.
• According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) South Africa is ranked 34th globally and first in Africa for 2009 in terms of the number of meetings hosted.
• Africa hosted 3.8% of the meetings or 314 meetings with 90 held in South Africa
• Cape Town was the leading city in Africa with 49 meetings, Johannesburg was ranked 5th, and Durban 10th, compared to other African cities.

African air travel on the rise!

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the international scheduled flight traffic results for November 2010. The results are showing a 8.2% year-on-year flight passenger traffic growth; the passenger load factor for November 2010 averaged at 75.6%. November saw a worldwide traffic growth slow from the 10% increase recorded in the passenger business in October 2010. The slowdown in 2010 is partially skewed because of the exceptionally rapid rise in flights recorded during the fourth quarter of 2009. However, when viewed in absolute terms, air travel fell by 0.8% October and November 2010.
Africa is the only region in the world to show an increase in flight passenger traffic growth. The rate increased from 12.6% in October 2010 to 16.4% in November 2010. The region’s carriers moved 11% more travellers in November 2010 than they did at the pre-recession peak in early 2008.

More than 700 000 tourists visited South Africa in October 2010

Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) has published the October 2010 Tourism and Migration statistics. In October 2010 South Africa had 1 003 661 foreign arrivals. The arrivals were made up of 14 757 non-visitors and 988 904 visitors. The visitors consist of 282 065 same-day visitors and 706 839 overnight visitors (tourists).
The breakdown of the tourists by region is as follows: 208 276 from overseas; 480 766 from SADC countries; 15 305 from "other" African countries and 2 492 unspecified.
The total overseas arrivals grew by 9,7% from 189 932 to 208 276 while African arrivals grew by 13% from 438 756 to 496 071. [src.]

The top overseas markets for October 2010 were:

• UK, down 2,9% from 40 829 to 39 642
• Germany, up 6,8% from 23 300 to 24 895
• USA, up 22,9% from 19 536 to 24 002
• The Netherlands, down 5,2% from 15 612 to 14 796
• France, up 9,8% from 11 834 to 12 995
• Australia, up 32,9% from 7 029 to 9 339
• India, up 24,6% from 5 047 to 6 291
• China, up 73,7% from 3 280 to 5 697
• Canada, up 25% from 4 536 to 5 668
• Switzerland, up 28% from 3 983 to 5 097

The top African markets for October 2010 were:

• Zimbabwe, up 12,7% from 117 669 to 132 571
• Lesotho, up 39,1% from 87 286 to 121 042
• Mozambique, up 9,6% from 79 039 to 86 905
• Swaziland, down 5,3% from 52 320 to 49 599
• Botswana, down 0,9% from 38 841 to 38 506

TEDtalks - Hans Rosling debunking myths about the so-called "developing world".

Hans Rosling is a Professor of International Health at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. He is known to be a "statistic guru" and also got described as presenting his data with the "drama and urgency of a sportscaster". Rosling is the co-founder of the Gapminder Foundation, which is aimed to promote a fact-based world view through increased use and understanding of freely accessible public statistics. A good example for his work and appearance is the following video which shows Rosling at a TED conference in 2006.



TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED). See their website for more info.