South Africa - Tourism, travel, and recreation



The tourism industry is based on private enterprise, but the government oversees tourist facilities through the South African Tourist Corporation, which also promotes tourism abroad. In addition to the principal cities and many ocean beaches, popular attractions include the Kruger National Park, situated in the northeast, on the Mozambique and Zimbabwe borders, and several game reserves; the Castle of Good Hope fortress at Cape Town (built during 1666–82); and the Kimberley Mine Museum at the site of the famous Big Hole diamond mine. Entertainment facilities include symphony halls, theaters, movies, nightclubs, and discos. Among popular pastimes are golf, tennis, bowls, hunting, horse racing, rugby, soccer, cricket, and water sports.

In 2000 there were 6,000,538 tourist arrivals in South Africa. There were 51,913 hotel rooms with 108,027 beds.

In 2003, the US government estimated the cost of staying in Johannesburg at $98 per day and Cape Town at $151 per day.

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