Money Blog: Cheapest Long-Haul Holiday Destinations Revealed

MEDIA STATEMENT Minister of Tourism Responds to Updated U.S. Travel Advisory Pretoria, 4 June 2025  The Minister of Tourism notes the recent update by the United States Department of State to its travel advisory for South Africa. We respect the sovereign right of all nations to provide guidance to their citizens travelling abroad. We also acknowledge the recent meeting between Presidents Ramaphosa and Trump and the subsequent media coverage that has followed. However, it is important to offer broader context and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all visitors to our country. South Africa remains one of the most sought-after and rewarding travel destinations in the world — known for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and the warm hospitality of its people. While challenges such as crime exist, as they do in many countries globally, the overwhelming majority of international visitors travel safely and leave with positive, enriching experiences. Visitor safety is, and continues to be, a national priority. It is actively addressed through a range of coordinated efforts between government, law enforcement, the tourism sector, and local communities. Our tourism infrastructure remains robust and resilient, with several established safety measures, including: Increased security presence in key tourism nodes, supported by trained Tourism Monitors stationed at popular attractions and visitor hotspots; • Ongoing collaboration between government, law enforcement, and the private sector to ensure proactive safety monitoring and swift incident response. It is worth highlighting that travel demand from the United States remains robust. In 2024, arrivals from the U.S. returned to pre-pandemic levels and the United States surpassed the United Kingdom as South Africa’s largest source market. In the first four months of 2025 alone, South Africa welcomed 111,491 visitors from the USA — reaffirming the destination’s enduring appeal and strong market confidence. We understand that travellers may have concerns, and we encourage all visitors to exercise the same level of vigilance and awareness they would when visiting any international destination. We also call on media outlets and government agencies globally to report on South Africa with accuracy and balance, recognising the distinction between isolated incidents and the broader reality experienced by millions of safe and satisfied travellers. We are engaging closely with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation on this matter and wish to reassure all travellers that South Africa remains open, welcoming, and committed to ensuring a safe and pleasurable journey for all who visit. We look forward to continuing to welcome travellers from the United States and across the globe, to share in the richness of our landscapes, the depth of our culture, and the warmth of our people.

JOHANNESBURG, 23 MAY 2025 — Recent headlines sparked by a widely publicised exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa have reignited international focus on crime in South Africa. Unfortunately, much of the coverage has leaned toward sensationalism, lacking the nuance needed to understand the real experience of travellers to the country. SATSA, the voice of inbound tourism in South Africa, is stepping forward to clarify the facts — grounded in decades of experience welcoming international guests. “South Africa isn’t perfect,” says SATSA CEO David Frost. “Like every country, we face challenges. But what we don’t have is a crisis that justifies global panic or distorted narratives.” “What we do have,” he adds, “is millions of tourists arriving safely every year, and leaving with stories that have nothing to do with fear and everything to do with awe.” While crime is a concern and continues to be addressed by government and civil society, incidents involving international visitors remain extremely rare. Among the facts: Visitor satisfaction levels remain high across key source markets. Travel demand from North America remains strong. U.S. arrivals totalled 372,362 in 2024, recovering to 100% of 2019 levels. Major tourism destinations continue operating smoothly thanks to coordinated publicprivate safety initiatives. “We don't pretend crime doesn't exist,” he adds. "But context matters. The suggestion that tourists are at significant risk is dangerous misinformation that serves political agendas rather than public interest." SATSA works closely with industry stakeholders on proactive visitor safety efforts, including the national Tourism Safety Helpline, enhanced security visibility around tourist hotspots, and real-time incident response coordination. Most popular tourism areas are well-policed specifically with visitors in mind, and travellers can access emergency assistance 24/7 through dedicated helplines and innovative tools like the Secura Traveller App, a mobile solution offering location-based support throughout a visitor's journey. SATSA plays a key role in driving safety initiatives across the industry, developing comprehensive toolkits, training programs, and traveller support services that ensure visitors are both informed and protected throughout their stay. Understanding South Africa requires nuance, not cherry-picked sound bites that distort the full picture of a nation still working through its complex history while building toward a shared future. SATSA urges both international media outlets and officials abroad to engage responsibly when discussing complex issues like land reform or national crime rates, especially when those discussions affect perception-based industries like tourism directly tied to livelihoods across Southern Africa. “This sector employs hundreds of thousands,” says Frost. “It puts food on tables from Soweto guesthouses right through to safari camps in Limpopo. And in South Africa, one tourism job typically supports up to seven people — meaning a single traveller’s decision has a ripple effect across entire households.” “If you want honest answers about what travel here looks like today,” he adds, “ask someone who’s actually been — or better yet, come and see for yourself.” SATSA remains committed to ensuring accurate information reaches potential visitors, and to working with all stakeholders to maintain South Africa's position as one of the world's most compelling destinations.