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The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Tourism surge: R4.2 billion spent on SA hotels in second quarter of 2025
Figures show more is being spent at South Africa's hotels and guesthouses, but industry experts say more innovation is needed. South Africa's tourism industry is maintaining its post-Covid comeback with record revenue in the accommodation sector. Accommodation income generated in the second quarter of 2025 increased by 10.5% from the same period last year. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released the figures this week in its quarterly report on the tourist accommodation sector. Recovery sustained The numbers are compiled from a monthly survey of hotels, guesthouses and other commercial accommodation owners of tax-registered private and public enterprises Stats SA's report shows the healthy recovery of an industry that was decimated by the global health panic of 2020. Seasonally adjusted income from accommodation at current prices first reached pre-covid levels in Spring 2023 and has exceeded that level for every quarter since July 2024. 'Seasonally adjusted income from accommodation increased by 3.8% month-on-month in May 2025, following an increase of 3.1% month-on-month in April 2025,' stated Stats SA. However, seasonally adjusted occupancy rates have yet to breach the 40% mark, having sat at roughly 45% in January 2020. In the last quarter, hotels earned R4.2 billion, while caravan parks and guesthouses and farms earned R186 million and R337 million, respectively. 'Other' forms of accommodation accounted for R2.7 billion, with the R7.5 billion total excluding food and beverage sales. Industry insights The accommodation industry generated R35.3 billion last year, with the industry sitting on R14.3 billion for the first five months of 2025. Southern Africa Tourism Service Association CEO David Frost said that the country's natural attractions provided a solid foundation from which to build, but required the industry to continually adapt. 'We cannot afford to be complacent. To stay globally competitive, we must continue to diversify and meet evolving traveller expectations,' said Frost. 'True growth lies in how we innovate around these assets. We need to move beyond what we've always done and develop experiences that appeal to a broader range of global travellers.' Frost highlighted areas outside the 'Cape Town-Kruger' corridor as needing extra representation, but explained the 2024/25 cruise season generated R1.32 billion. National Chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa, Rosemary Anderson, agreed with Frost's sentiments on evolving the industry. 'That's now changing, thanks to Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, who has introduced a new model where government and industry work together in dedicated tourism workstreams. 'For the first time, ideas are not only being developed jointly, but action plans are being put in place. This shift has the potential to be a game-changer for tourism in South Africa,' Anderson concluded. NOW READ: Could tourism be the answer to SA youth unemployment?
IOL News
25-06-2025
- IOL News
Casino predator: woman (74) charged with drugging and robbing elderly victims
Hannah Naidoo Image: Yoshini Perumal A 74-year-old woman has been re-arrested for allegedly drugging and robbing another vulnerable, elderly woman at Suncoast Casino. It has been alleged that the suspect preyed on the victims in the casino by striking up a conversation and befriending them. Hannah Naidoo, of Westville, was first arrested in October 2024 after she allegedly assaulted, drugged, and robbed a 92-year-old grandmother of R337 000 worth of jewellery and watches from her flat, in March of the same year. According to the charge sheet Naidoo befriended the woman about a month before the crime at the casino, and their friendship grew. The woman lived alone. On March 22, 2024, Naidoo and an accomplice - who is unknown to the State - had visited the woman in the late afternoon at her flat in the Durban Central Business District. It has been alleged that they took cake and a milkshake for the woman. The milkshake was allegedly spiked with a sedative known as benzodiazepines. Naidoo allegedly encouraged the woman to consume the milkshake, which rendered her unconscious. The woman was then allegedly assaulted and robbed. Her son and grandson found her unconscious on her bed, two days after the robbery. She was taken to hospital and regained consciousness four days later in ICU. None of the stolen items were recovered. Following police investigations, Naidoo was arrested and charged with robbery with aggravated circumstances and attempted murder. At the time, Naidoo was granted bail of R5 000. She is expected to stand trial later this year. Last Thursday, Naidoo was re-arrested on charges of attempted murder and theft. She appeared in the Durban Regional Court on Friday. It has been alleged she drugged and robbed another woman at Suncoast Casino in May this year. State prosecutor Calvin Govender told the court that on May 1, at Suncoast Casino, Naidoo was alleged to have put an unknown substance into the 66-year-old woman's coffee in an attempt to sedate her. He said this resulted in her getting medical complications and she was admitted to hospital. The woman was allegedly robbed of R20 000 in cash. Naidoo's attorney Advocate Ashwin Baijnath urged the court to hear the matter again at the earliest possible date instead of the seven day adjournment for a bail application. He said Naidoo had cancer and needed to undergo chemotherapy on Monday (June 23). Govender said the State would accommodate Naidoo, and ensure that she has access to her treatment, but she should remain in custody until her bail application. However, by Monday, Baijnath had not provided the court proof of Naidoo having stage 4 cancer, details of her chemotherapy sessions or details of the facility she needed to be taken to or her oncologist's contact details. She was remanded into custody at Westville Prison while she awaits her formal bail application. Govender said the State was opposed to bail, and that two more charges, with complainants from Umhlali and Sydenham, are to be added to Naidoo's existing charges. Suncoast Casino did not respond to questions at the time of print. THE POST
