South Africa’s travel and tourism industry has enjoyed a significant boost off the back of hosting COP17, a joint Tourism Business Index (TBI) report issued by Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and First National Bank (FNB) Tuesday has revealed.

The index provides a national indication of the current and future performance, across the various businesses operating within the South African travel and tourism sector.

"The latest results of the TBCSA FNB Tourism Business Index show a marked improvement in business performance for the last quarter of 2011," reads part of the report compiled by international auditors Grant Thornton.

According to the report, TBI registered a performance index of 87.3 in quarter four of 2011, against an expected industry index of 80.7 and an actual index of 70.0 for the previous quarter.

A surge in domestic leisure business over the festive season and the recent hosting of COP17 provided a much needed boost to business performance in quarter four of 2011.

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