The tourism industry continues in the positive growth trajectory with preliminary figures indicating a record 10.3 million international visitors recorded in 2014 and the sector contributing 10.9 billion (R126.9 billion) to the economy and directly employed 645 000 people. The continued growth in the sector justifies why tourism is identified in the New Growth Path as one of the six priority economic sectors in the country. Tourism is seen as one of the economic sectors that can assist the government in creating sustainable jobs and ensure that the developmental agenda of the state is addressed in all economic sectors, particularly in rural areas. Inherently, tourism is a sector with a potential to create job opportunities as it is a labour intensive industry. Currently, the tourism industry surpasses mining and automotive sectors in terms of contribution to the Gross Domestic Product and is responsible for one in every eleven jobs in South Africa.