JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- South Africa Friday reported an increase of 14.3 percent in foreign travelers who visited the country from mainland Africa, overseas and unspecified countries in August this year to 650,290, split between a 7.48 percent y/y increase to 163,888 for overseas visitors and a 19.9 percent rise from mainland African countries.

    Statistics South Africa said that this compared with an increase of 18.7 percent y/y in July 2005 to 636,569, split between a 7.8 percent y/y increase to 148,212 for overseas visitors and a 26.0 percent surge from mainland African countries.

    The increase in the first six months was only 8.7 percent y/y to 3,485,931, split between a 3.3 percent y/y increase to 939,540 for overseas visitors and a 10.8 percent jump from mainland African and unspecified countries.

    The first quarter increase for total foreign visitors was 10.4 percent y/y, which is almost five times the 2004 growth rate of 2.4 percent y/y, when 6,815,202 foreign travelers visited South Africa.

    The government has targeted seven million foreign visitors this year, which is only a 2.7 percent increase, so the target may be too conservative.

    The number of travelers from Britain visiting South Africa in August 2005 was 35,015 accounting for 21.4 percent of total overseas visitors, making it the leading country of origin of overseas travelers.

    This was followed by travelers from the U.S., 23,914 (14.6 percent) and Germany, 15,311 (9.3 percent). Other main countries of origin of overseas travelers were: Italy, 10,578 (6.5 percent);France, 9,616 (5.9 percent).

    During August 2005, the top eight countries in mainland Africa from which travelers arriving in South Africa came from were: Lesotho, 134,684 (27.9 percent); Swaziland, 87,828 (18.2 percent);Zimbabwe, 74,055 (15.4 percent); Mozambique, 64,181 (13.3 percent);Botswana, 63,654 (13.2 percent); Namibia, 21,221 (4.4 percent); Zambia, 11,273 (2.3 percent) and Malawi, 9,028 (1.9 percent). Enditem