By Zibonele Ntuli, tel: (012) 314-2359

SA Tourism CEO Moeketsi Mosola has warned media to guard against statistical interpretation following a series of some "opposing and un-substantiated" reports.

The reports suggest that there currently a decline in international tourism by some two percent from January to November 2004 when compared to 2003.

Mr Mosola says the confusion arising from the reports could be ascribed to a misrepresentation of data.

"SA Tourism is committed to meaningful statistical interpretation, which necessitates a more long-term view with regards to trends and developments within the industry.

"While we are unequivocally refuting the claims of a decline in year-on-year international tourist arrivals to South Africa for 2004, based on our sound interpretation of the data, our major concern is the manner in which these conclusions are reached," said Mr Mosola

He said the misrepresentation had a direct and negative impact on the country's tourism industry.

"These reports incorrectly interpret incomplete data released in raw format by Statistics South Africa. The unreported but corresponding data provisionally released indicates growth in major markets," he said.

SA Tourism says new statistics will be released soon and will "accurately capture what is anticipated to be positive growth in total international arrivals of last year". BuaNews