The outburst of xenophobic violence in the country could cause serious damage to SA's tourism industry, Environmental and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Tuesday.

Briefing the media in Cape Town ahead of his budget vote speech in the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, Van Schalkwyk said tourists from African countries were likely to avoid visiting South Africa.

"We are quite concerned about the effects of the attacks on tourism — they have the potential to impact negatively on the African market," he said.

The violence, which drew condemnation from all political parties, churches, community organisation and the general public, started in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg last week.

It has since spread to informal settlements on the perimeter of Johannesburg over the weekend, including Zamimpilo in Riverlea, Diepsloot and Kya Sands to the west of Johannesburg, and Ramaphosa and Makause in the east, as well as to Tembisa and Tokoza.

The attacks, which left behind a trail of destruction, have so far claimed 23 lives and left up to 10 000 people seeking refuge in shelters.

Van Schalkwyk said while his department was concerned about the impact the violence would cause to tourism, the immediate concern was around its impact on victims and their families.

Sapa