Domestic Tourism Survey 2008 (South Africa)

Abstract

Statistics South Africa provides data on international tourism based on secondary data obtained from the South African Department of Home Affairs. The information from this data used by stakeholders to measure and understand international tourism in South Africa. Detailed information about national domestic tourism is limited, however and there was a need to collect more detailed information on domestic tourism in order to better understand and measure the contribution of the tourism industry towards the national economy. The Domestic Tourism Survey (DTS) is aimed at addressing this need by collecting accurate statistics on the travel behaviour and expenditure of
South African residents travelling within and outside the borders of South Africa. Such information is crucial in determining the contribution of tourism to the South African economy as well as helping with planning, marketing, policy formulation and regulation of tourism-related activities.

This survey provides data on domestic tourism activity from the beginning of February 2008 until the end of August 2008. In addition to the basic demographic information collected in the majority of household surveys conducted by Statistics South Africa, the DTS covers five areas specifically related to travel and expenditure patterns. These include trips taken by the household, domestic day trips by the respondent and/or other household members, domestic day trips by other household members (without the respondent), domestic overnight trips by the respondent and/or other household members, domestic overnight trips by other household members (without the respondent).