The Western Cape continued to shine as a destination in high demand, with tourist arrivals to Cape Town by air recording a 16% year-on-year increase between January and March, reaching 336 268 visitors.
“This not only shows a significant recovery but also surpasses the 2019 figure for the same period. We are thrilled to welcome the world to our vibrant region because more tourists mean more jobs in the province,” said Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger.
This is according to the first-quarter tourism report for January to March, compiled by the Western Cape Government’s tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency, Wesgro.
Other highlights from the report include:
- Between January and March, the UK led as the top overseas air market to Cape Town, with Germany a very close second, followed by the US, Netherlands, and France in the rest of the top five positions. The first quarter of 2024 showed a strong European presence, with eight out of the top ten source markets originating from the continent. Overseas air arrivals to Cape Town during the period January and March reflected a full recovery from seven out of the top ten source markets to Cape Town versus January to March 2019. These markets included the UK, Germany, the US, Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, and Ireland. (Source: StatsSA)
- Between January and March, Namibia led as the top air market from the African continent to Cape Town, with Zimbabwe in a very close second position. Angola, Mozambique, and Kenya followed in the rest of the top five positions. Air arrivals to Cape Town from the rest of Africa during the period of January and March reflected a full recovery from eight out of the top ten source markets to Cape Town versus January and March 2019. These markets included Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Botswana, Tanzania and Ghana. (Source: StatsSA)
- Cape Town International Airport’s international terminal saw a 17% year-on-year two-way passenger growth in March, with 318 366 two-way passengers, reflecting an even stronger growth rate on the back of a 13% increase recorded in January and 14% in February. Meanwhile, the domestic terminal recorded an 11% year-on-year two-way passenger growth in March, with over 640 000 two-way passengers passing through the terminal. George Airport recorded 70 640 two-way passengers in March and in relation to 2019, the year-to-date passenger movement between January and March recovered by 98%. (Source: Acsa)
- The 53 participating attractions across the six regions of the Western Cape recorded a total of over 2.5 million visitors between January and March, a 23% growth in the number of visitors compared with January-March 2023.
- The top five participating Western Cape attractions with the highest volume of visitors between January and March were recorded for:
- Table Mountain National Park (951 767);
- Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (346 277);
- Table Mountain National Park: Cape of Good Hope (299 392);
- Table Mountain National Park: Boulders Beach (256 098); and
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (205 207).
- The top five highest year-on-year growth rates between January and March amongst the Western Cape’s nature/outdoor attractions were recorded for:
- Vrolijkheid Eco Venue (782%);
- Avalon Springs (400%);
- Stony Point Eco Venue (351%);
- Swartberg Nature Reserve (200%); and
- De Hoop Nature Reserve (185%)
- (Source: Western Cape Attractions & LTOs).
Wenger added: “Tourism is a cornerstone of our strategic economic initiative, 'Growth for Jobs'. Our aim is bold: to stimulate our economy, attract investments, and create job opportunities that transform lives and lift many more residents from poverty to prosperity. To achieve this, we're setting ambitious targets, like doubling our visitor numbers by 2035, and working to remove obstacles to growth like the visa regime.”
According to her, for every 100 international visitors, the Western Cape gains R2.1 million (€106 100) in direct tourist spend, adding R500 000 (€25 260) to GDP, and creating two local jobs. “This excellent performance underscores the importance of tourism for growth and job creation in our region.”
Wenger concluded that the Western Cape Government’s latest iteration of the R4 million (€202 100) Tourism Growth Fund would continue to build the destination, enrich its attractions, and expand its offerings – ultimately creating more jobs and prosperity across the province.
