SOUTH Africa has been ranked fourth on Condé Nast’s list of the Top 20 countries in the world to visit. This is ahead of destinations like France, Spain, Thailand, Morocco and Australia, which have been favoured by the world’s tourists in the past. Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom said all South Africans should be proud of this achievement, considering the stiff competition.

“It takes a huge collaborative effort by the public and private sector to provide a great experience for tourists, and it cannot be done without the support of host communities and the people of South Africa,” he said on Wednesday.

Minister Hanekom said the awards prove that South Africans are succeeding in keeping the country globally competitive.

“The number of international arrivals are growing remarkably. These awards reinforce our position as a very attractive global destination. Tourism is well-placed to continue playing a meaningful role in the economy and in the lives of our people,” said Hanekom.

South Africa also featured several times in the Condé Nast list for “The Ultimate Travel Top 60”, which identifies the best of the best tourism attractions and facilities around the world.