Pretoria - While Government has expressed satisfaction with the country's tourism sector, it will explore ways to boost tourism potential in 2011.
Delivering the State of the Nation address on Thursday evening to a joint sitting of Parliament, President Jacob Zuma said he was pleased with the success of the tourism sector, but also outlined plans to enhance it further.
"To further boost our tourism potential, we will amongst other measures, look into flexible visa requirements, improved landing slots at foreign airports as well as improved tourism infrastructure," he said.
South Africa remained a popular destination for international gatherings, Zuma noted.
"More than 7.3 million tourists arrived in South Africa last year, as compared to about 6.3 million in 2009. For further growth, we will strengthen existing markets while exploring the emerging economies," he said.
The country has also secured 95 meetings and conferences between 2010 and 2016.
In July this year, South Africa and Durban in particular, will play host to a high level sports gathering - the 123rd International Olympic Committee General Assembly Session.
Government would also continue to develop the cultural industries sector, which was linked to tourism, and contributed about R2 billion to the Gross Domestic Product.
Government had also acknowledged the value of events such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Zuma said.
In 2010, the festival added more than R475 million to Cape Town's economy and created 2 000 jobs.
Zuma made special mention of the Cape Minstrels Carnival - a celebration of the freeing of slaves - which he said was hugely popular and brightened up Cape Town every year.
