International visitors are projected to spend more while visiting Johannesburg than any other destination city on the continent, with $3,3bn estimated to be injected into the city during 2012, an increase of 8,1% on 2011’s figures.
The index is used as a barometer for understanding the global economy and the flow of commerce across the world.
The city ranks 132 global cities by their total international visitor arrivals and the cross-border spending by visitors in the destination cities. It also forecasts visitor and passenger growth for 2012.
The 132 cities ranked included 13 African cities: Cairo, Egypt; Johannesburg, SA; Casablanca, Morocco; Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; Beira, Mozambique; Cape Town, SA; Dakar, Senegal; Durban, SA; Kampala, Uganda; Lagos, Nigeria; Maputo, Mozambique; and Tunis, Tunisia.
In terms of visitor numbers, Cairo took the top position in Africa, with 3, 3-million visitors expected in 2012, while Casablanca, with an anticipated 2, 1-million visitors, was third.
Laura Vercueil, PR & Communication Manager at Johannesburg Tourism Company said they’re always delighted to hear about Joburg’s prominence as one of the African continent’s leading destinations.
“It remains our mission to encourage our visitors to stay longer and spend more time exploring Joburg and discovering what makes it special in terms of not only its business opportunities, but as a lifestyle and leisure destination as well.
We have so much to offer visitors from the arts, culture and heritage to shopping, fashion and entertainment and of course, our signature city events and mega-events.”
This also re-affirms reports that, the city has secured more conventions and meetings throughout the year, as opposed to other cities or metros, according to the Conventions Bureau launched last year by JTC.
Johannesburg, as the economic hub of the country, has been identified as the gate-way to Africa and the world.
