Travel
Johannesburg remains Africa’s Most Popular City – Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index
Johannesburg has emerged as the most popular destination city in Africa for the fifth consecutive year, according to the annual Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index.
The City of Gold attracted 4.05 million international overnight visitors in 2017. Close on its heels, Marrakech in Morocco is the second most popular African destination city, welcoming 3.93 million international overnight visitors last year. Polokwane (1.88 million), Cape Town (1.73 million) and Djerba in Tunisia (1.65 million) rounded out the top five African cities ranked in the Index.
Johannesburg also recorded the highest international overnight visitor expenditure among African cities with travellers spending US$2.14 billion in 2017, well ahead of Marrakech (US$1.64 billion). On average, international visitors stayed 10.9 nights and spent US$48 per day in Johannesburg, with shopping accounting for more than 50 percent of their total spend.
“The City of Gold has once again topped the ranks of this year’s African index, with its mix of shopping and tourism offerings still hitting the mark with international travellers,” says Mark Elliott, Division President of Mastercard Southern Africa. “The ranking is significant for Joburg’s economic prospects as visitor expenditure contributes an important source of revenue to the retail, hospitality, restaurant and cultural sectors.”
The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index ranks the world’s top 162 destination cities in terms of visitor volume and spend for the 2017 calendar year. It also provides insight on the fastest growing destination cities, and a deeper understanding of why people travel and how they spend around the world. This year’s Index ranks 23 major African cities including Cairo, Nairobi, Lagos, Casablanca, Durban, Tunis, Dar es Salaam, Accra, Kampala, Maputo and Dakar among others.
As an indication of the importance of intra-regional travel, just over 57 percent of international overnight visitors to Johannesburg in 2017 originated from five Southern African countries. Mozambique was the number one country that sends visitors to Johannesburg, accounting for 809 000 visitors or 20 percent of the total, followed byLesotho (12.4 percent), Zimbabwe (12 percent), Botswana (6.7 percent) and Swaziland (6.1 percent).
According to the City of Johannesburg, the Index rating affirms Johannesburg’s position as the major economic and cultural hub in Africa.
“As the strong numbers of visitors from our neighbouring countries show, Johannesburg is one of the continent’s most significant metropolises for business, trade, investment and leisure,” says City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba. “The Index re-affirms Johannesburg’s status as a destination that continues to attract international overnight visitors each year due to its continually evolving tourism offerings – from popular shopping destinations and our world-class malls to a wide range of lifestyle, sporting and business events.”
South African cities show strong performance
Cape Town and Polokwane ranked third and sixth in terms of the African cities with the highest international overnight visitor expenditure in 2017, with visitors spending US$1.62 billion and US$760 million respectively. While visitors to Cape Town stayed 12.5 nights and spent US$75 per day on average, travellers to Polokwane stayed for a shorter period (4.3 nights), but spent more per day (US$95). Shopping is also a drawcard for visitors to both Cape Town and Polokwane, accounting for 22 percent and 60 percent of their total spend respectively.
The Mother City attracted the largest proportion of long-haul visitors in South Africa, with travellers coming from the United Kingdom (14.4 percent), Germany (12.4 percent), United States (10.9 percent), and France (6.6 percent). Cape Town’s highest number of African visitors came from Namibia (6.2 percent). Polokwane’s top three countries of origin were Zimbabwe (77.7 percent), Botswana (6.9 percent), and the United States (2.5 percent).
The world’s top destination cities
With roughly 20 million international overnight visitors, Bangkok retained the top spot this year. Visitors tend to stay in Bangkok 4.7 nights and spend $173 per day. London (19.83 million), Paris (17.44 million), Dubai (15.79 million) and Singapore (13.91 million) round out the list of top five global cities by visitor numbers.
Not all cities are created equal when it comes to the amount visitors spend in the local economy. Dubai continues to be the top-ranking destination city based on overnight visitor spend, with visitors spending a whopping US$29.7 billion in 2017 or U$537 per day on average. It is followed by Makkah, (US$18.45 billion), London (US$17.45 billion), Singapore (US$17.02 billion) and Bangkok (US$16.36 billion).
“International travel is crucial to many urban economies, enriching the lives of both residents and tourists. The bar is rising for cities to innovate to provide both a memorable and authentic experience,” says Elliott. “We’re partnering closely with cities around the world to ensure they have insights and technologies to improve how they attract and cater to tourists while preserving what makes them so special in the first place.”
Hospitality
Nature, Wellness and Culinary Drive 2025 Travel Trends in Africa, according to Mastercard Economics Institute
New Mastercard Economics Institute Travel Trends Report 2025 reveals that purpose in the form of nature-driven travel, wellness escapes and culinary adventures, are among the top drivers of tourism across Africa, SANDRA ANI reports
The Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) has released its annual Travel Trends 2025 report, revealing the latest consumer spending insights and motivation when it comes to travel.
Cross-border movement is often influenced by the most pressing economic factors of the moment, such as exchange rates and geopolitical tensions. However, these are not the only factors driving consumers’ travel spending decisions, including those in Africa. Personal and purpose-driven factors remain powerful even when economic uncertainty looms.
Building on the resilience of the global travel sector seen last year, the 2025 report highlights how destinations across the African continent are increasingly appealing to tourists and, creating additional opportunities for local markets to develop tourism.
“Africa is emerging as a global leader in purpose-driven travel, where nature, wellness, and culinary experiences are redefining the continent’s tourism landscape. These trends present a powerful opportunity to drive inclusive growth, support local economies, and position Africa as a key player in the future of global tourism,” said Mark Elliot, division president, Africa, Mastercard.
Whether drawn by Namibia’s wellness retreats, South Africa’s wilderness experiences or Morocco’s vibrant culinary scene, travelers are expanding their horizons beyond traditional hotspots.
“Tourism is playing an important role in Africa’s growth story. Travelers are increasingly drawn to the continent’s natural beauty, culinary diversity, and wellness experiences. While economic and geopolitical factors matter, the pursuit of meaningful, purpose-driven travel remains strong. The Mastercard Economics Institute’s report sheds light on how countries are tapping into this trend to attract visitors and boost local economies,” said Khatija Haque, chief economist EEMEA, Mastercard Economics Institute.
By exploring a full range of travel motivations, the report identifies the main themes shaping travel today:
Africa trends:
- Nature-fueled adventures: South Africa and Zambia dominate cross-border spending around national park areas. Spending around South Africa’s major national parks far outpaced that of other countries, with nearly a quarter of the cross-border spending occurring within these zones. Zambia is also highly ranked as an outdoor adventure destination.
- Culinary crossroads: Marrakech ranks highly on the foodie list with its median restaurant hosting tourists from many different countries, often to enjoy meals of tagine and b’stilla. Cape Town is also on the list, with its bobotie dish proving popular with visitors.
- Wellness in the wild: Africa is establishing itself as a global leader in wellness-centered travel as consumers prioritize rejuvenation and self-care. Namibia, South Africa and Botswana are among the top destinations for travelers seeking spa-style and nature-based retreats and immersive eco lodges. Kenya is also ranked among the top 20 destinations for wellness In the Mastercard Wellness Index 2025.
Other global trends:
- Spa, summit and savor: Personal passions and goals motivate travel choices. Adventure-seekers are heading to the Nordics, where Finland’s national parks account for 7.1% of cross-border spending in the country.
- Summer destination draws: The Asia-Pacific region commands the list of trending summer destinations. Flight booking data reveals the top global destinations gaining most momentum for June-September travel, relative to last year. Tokyo is the number one trending spot for summer 2025, followed by Osaka and then Paris.
- Fuelled by fans: Fans travel internationally to see their favorite teams and athletes play. Case in point? During Shohei Ohtani’s World Series debut, spending by Japanese visitors in Los Angeles surged by 91%, six times the broader cross-border boost.
- Money matters: Despite geopolitical tensions and fluctuating prices, the factors that motivate consumers to travel are often more complex than just economic. But currency depreciation can make certain destinations, like Japan, more attractive due to their better value for money.
- Wheeling and dealing closer to home: In general, business travelers favor longer trips within their own regions, driven by hybrid work models and geopolitical uncertainty. However, there are exceptions, with UK businesses spending a growing share of their travel budgets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Mastercard is dedicated to helping the global tourism sector grow through market analysis and high-frequency, data-driven insights that enhance the travel experience. By empowering destinations and businesses to better understand evolving consumer trends, Mastercard is helping to shape a more connected and resilient future for travel across Africa.
You can view the full “Travel Trends 2025: Purpose-driven journeys” and other reports and insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute can be found here.
The Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), is set to launch the 2024 edition of its “Don’t Drink & Drive” campaign.
The two-day event will take place on December 10th and 11th, 2024, targeted at raising awareness on the dangers of drink-driving and ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians.
The campaign will kick off with a media launch at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, on December 10th, where key stakeholders will address the media, highlighting the campaign’s goals, achievements, and the importance of continued collaboration in promoting road safety across Nigeria. The event will feature prominent executives from the BSG, FRSC, and other stakeholders in road safety advocacy.
On 11th December, the campaign will shift to three major motor parks—Ojodu, Ojota, and Oshodi—where drivers and road users will be engaged through an educational rally. During the rally, drivers will be sensitized on the dangers of drinking and driving, with a strong emphasis on responsible driving behavior. In addition, the FRSC will conduct voluntary breathalyzer tests at these locations, underscoring their commitment to fostering safer motoring environments across the country.
The 2024 edition of the “Don’t Drink & Drive” campaign promises to continue its tradition of educating the public on the risks of drinking and driving while providing the necessary tools for the FRSC to execute its duties effectively.
The BSG and the FRSC remain steadfast in their mission to reduce road accidents and make Nigerian roads safer for everyone.
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle is in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to begin talk with the Secretary General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), Major Gen. Mohammed Bin Saeed Al-Moghedi.
The talks which began at the IMCTC Headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday November 18, 2024 is expected to yield positive results and ideas on how best to approach counter-terrorism in Nigeria.
During the meeting, Dr. Matawalle is expected to talk with other high ranking experts in counter-terrorism fight and logistics management.
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