SA Migration International

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New stats show record 24% drop in overseas arrivals

Source: Tourism Update, 03/08/2015

There are lies, damned lies and statistics. - Mark Twain

In ancient times they had no statistics so they had to fall back on
lies. - Stephen Leacock

Statistics are used much like a drunk uses a lamppost: for support,
not illumination. Vin Scully

We wish Home Affairs read the same statistics as we do but the DG –
Apleni went to great lengths on TV last night to contradict the drop ,
no wonder the Statistician General went on to say this is a great
cause for concern , he is looking at the facts

Overseas arrivals into South Africa have dropped by just under 24%.
This was before the full impact of the birth certificate fiasco that
was implemented 1 June
The number of overseas arrivals into South Africa dropped by just
under 24% year on year for the month of April, according to the latest
arrival stats published by Statistics South Africa.
Of South Africa`s largest source markets, Germany fell the most, with
arrivals down 34% to 14 640 from 22 830; arrivals from the UK dropped
21% to 29 825 from 37 749; and arrivals from the US dropped 13% to 18
776 from 21 687. Arrivals from France and The Netherlands were also
down 13% and 21% respectively.
China was down 18% to 6 694 from 8 123 last year and India was down
22% to 5 808 from 7 494.
Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, has conceded that the drop in
arrivals is linked to South Africa`s new immigration regulations.
A report by Grant Thornton, commissioned by the Tourism Business
Council of South Africa, suggests that the in-person visa requirement
cost the country R2.6 billion last year and will cost a further R4.1
billion this year, while the requirements for minors could cost R10
billion.

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