Wine tourism in South Africa grows to be worth nearly £400 million

More people seem to be taking solo holidays to the South Africa for its famous wine, as the country's minister for tourism announced a growth in this sector.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk told a group of stakeholders that wine tourism in the country has grown to unprecedented levels, contributing 4.3 billion South African rand (£384.83 million) to the economy in 2009, reports the Mail and Guardian.

The minister said that the sector gives South Africa the opportunity to compete with similar countries, as far as tourism goes.

"Wine tourism is a vital product offering in South Africa's tourism product as it helps improve the country's competitiveness against destinations like Brazil, Australia, Kenya and Thailand," he said.

Mr van Schalkwyk also told the meeting that "there is still great potential for growth" in the wine tourism sector.

South Africa is often known as the world within a country for its diverse landscapes, which include snow-capped mountains as well as untouched beaches.