South African tourism defied global trends and posted a 3.6 percent increase in arrivals last year, with a record 9.9-million foreigners visiting the country, the tourism minister said on Thursday.

Globally, international arrivals fell by four percent last year, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation.

While fewer tourists from Europe and North America visited South Africa last year, arrivals from Asia, South America and the rest of Africa were up, tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said in a statement.

"I regard this kind of growth in the context of international conditions as a resounding vote of confidence in our tourism industry and our destination," he said.

"Our status as the FIFA 2010 World Cup host nation has, undoubtedly, played its part in arrivals growth to our destination," he added.

South Africa aims to welcome more than 10 million tourists this year, boosted by the football World Cup that kicks off on June 11.

About 450 000 foreign visitors are expected for the month-long tournament, but global football governing body FIFA has warned that the actual numbers could be lower.

AFP

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