Despite the recession, South Africa's incoming tourism grew by 3.6% in 2009.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Tourism said that, “South Africa outperformed most international markets in 2009 and recorded growth in foreign arrivals of 3.6 percent.”

The country recorded more than 9.9-million foreign arrivals last year, compared to around 9.6-million in 2008.

“This defies the decline of four percent that the global travel industry experienced last year as traveller markets reeled from the effects of the global financial crisis,” said Van Schalkwyk.

He said the global lull in international travel was caused by the recession, the high oil price and the H1N1 virus.

South Africa showed a growth in foreign arrivals of 5.6% in 2008.

Reported by Business Report