A bustling summer season is in the works for the Western Cape, with the province being more connected to the rest of the world than ever before.

At the ports, in Cape Town and Mossel Bay, roughly 200,000 cruise passengers and crew are expected to arrive on provincial shores. The MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, says this is in light of 88 ship calls to the province.

Speaking at the province’s third annual Summer Tourism Readiness Dialogue, Meyer noted that these are record-breaking numbers.

Growth has also been noted at local airports. Meyer says there has been an 11% uptick year-to-date in the number of international visitors to the province, through the Cape Town International Airport. There has also been a 7% increase in domestic travel.

“27 airlines will service the airport during summer, connecting Cape Town to 31 destinations on 38 routes… the Western Cape has never been as well connected with major international tourism markets as it currently is.”

But, Meyer emphasised that visitor safety is the foundation of tourism.

He says his department will continue coordinated efforts with the City of Cape Town and other stakeholders in the safety, emergency services and disaster management industries to ensure that safety is upheld.

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The Western Cape has launched various initiatives, including a dedicated tourism law enforcement unit, the only one of its kind in South Africa. This unit is deployed at major tourist attractions to provide visible policing and assistance, a key step towards ensuring the safety of both visitors and residents.

“We are encouraged by recent initiatives, including the formalisation of the Volunteer Safety Services, which will allow for greater coordination between SANParks and volunteer organisations active in the park. I am also pleased that the Table Mountain Safety Forum has been resurrected. We will continue to support SANParks and the City of Cape Town to ensure that visitors are warned about potential dangers, that more human resources are deployed on the mountain and that we improve wayfinding and signage.”

Meyer further noted the Department of Home Affairs’ efforts to simplify travel for high-growth markets, including China and India, alongside the introduction of a digital nomad visa.

“Our lobbying efforts are bearing fruit.”