The biggest percentage of Africa tours each year is taken by German tourists, whose numbers are predominant in the 10.4% growth in South Africa's tourist activity in the last trimester of 2012, in relation to last year.

The biggest percentage of Africa tours each year is taken by German tourists, whose numbers are predominant in the 10.4% growth in South Africa's tourist activity in the last trimester of 2012, in relation to last year. The percentage of Germans to visit the country has also seen an increase of 12.2% in relation to 2011, with 204.247 people in total hailing from the central European nation

Germany is, along with the US and the UK, one of the main target markets of South African tourism, which has recently been pinpointed by the government as one of six economic sectors to focus on. Bigger budgets, targeted initiatives and a declared bid for the Indian and Middle Eastern markets are some of the strategies the South African authorities intend to implement in order to benefit the sector, with the goal being set at 15 million visits a year by 2020.

But while Germany was the nation with the highest number of inbound tourists to South Africa in 2012, China displayed the biggest growth in activity over the same period of time. No less than 96.747 Chinese tourists visited the country last year, representing an increase of 63.5% with relation to 2011!

South Africa's tourism minister declared himself very pleased with this growth in tourist activity, and stressed the importance of continued, sustained growth for the sector.

To book Africa tours, contact Tucan Travel at www.tucantravel.com or 0800 804 8435