The City of Cape Town has launched its Economic Action Plan detailing planned steps for a post-COVID recovery, including a focus on the city’s tourism sector.

“The City of Cape Town’s Enterprise and Investment Department is working hard to ensure that we not only minimise the effects of this crisis, but build a stronger, more resilient future for our businesses and, ultimately, the residents of Cape Town,” said the city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, James Vos.

Vos describes the plan as having three distinguishable phases: response, recovery and stabilising.

In the response phase the city has initiated efforts to help the tourism industry, not only by lobbying government on what it terms unfair grant distribution regulations, but also by investigating and recommending possible relief measures.

The city made relief measures available to guesthouses and certain B&Bs, allowing them to apply to change their property classification, which could decrease their rates bills substantially.

“The City of Cape Town and our official Destination Marketing Organisation, Cape Town Tourism (CTT), have formulated plans, embraced technology and used research as a strategic guide, to plot a sustainable future for the city’s vital and vibrant tourism sector,” said Vos, adding that he was proud of the work that had gone into helping the tourism industry.

The technology Vos spoke about includes the launch of a Smart City app, which will serve as an up-to-date, interactive source of information for visiting tourists.

Additionally, according to CEO of CTT, Enver Duminy, the research carried out by CTT could provide valuable insight into future tourist markets.

“In every crisis, there is an opportunity and the city is actively working to identify and exploit new sectoral opportunities that are emerging,” concluded Vos.