There’s been another increase in tourist arrivals in the Western Cape. The Provincial Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC, Mireille Wenger says first quarter tourist arrivals via air are up by 16%, reaching 336 268 visitors.
Wenger said, “This not only shows a significant recovery but also surpasses the 2019 figure for the same period.”
She says the province continues to shine as a destination in high demand.
Another increase in tourists
According to the first quarter tourism report for the period January to March this year, as compiled by the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) tourism, trade and investment promotion agency, Wesgro, the United Kingdom (UK) led as the top overseas air market to Cape Town, with Germany a very close second.
Third was the USA, followed the Netherlands and France, rounding up the top 5 positions.
Wenger added, “For every 100 international visitors, the Western Cape gains R2.1 million in direct tourist spend, adds R500,000 to our GDP, and creates two local jobs.”
At the same time, Namibia also led as the top air market from the African continent to Cape Town, with Zimbabwe coming in a very close second position.
Finalizing the top 5 in this group, were Angola, Mozambique and Kenya.
Western Cape tourism keeps growing
The report also states that Cape Town International Airport (CTIA’s) international terminal saw a 17% year-on-year two-way passenger growth in March this year, with 318,366 two-way passengers.
She says this reflects an even stronger growth rate on the back of a 13% increase recorded in January this year and 14% in the following month (February).
She said, “Tourism is a cornerstone of our strategic economic initiative, G4J, or ‘Growth for Jobs’.”‘
The domestic terminal also 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 2024 and in relation to 2019, the year-to-date passenger movement between January and March 2024 recovered by 98%. (Source: ACSA)
READ MORE: Western Cape tourism sector exceeds pre-covid levels
The top 5 participating Western Cape attractions with the highest volume of visitors between January and March 2024 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 5 highest year-on-year growth rates between January and March 2024 were recorded amongst the Western Cape’s nature/outdoor attractions:
- 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)
One of the Province’s ambitious targets is to double visitor numbers by 2035. Officials are also working to remove obstacles to growth like the visa regime.
More information about the R4 million Tourism Growth Fund
The Fund is aimed at increasing visitor numbers. It will continue to build on the province as a destination, enrich attractions and expand offerings.
Wenger says this will ultimately create more jobs and prosperity across the province.
READ MORE: Interested applicants can visit this website
Wenger also announced that while air routes are hard at work bringing in the visitors, the 53 participating Western Cape attractions across the six regions of the Province recorded a total of 2 587 808 visitors between January and March. This is a 23% growth in the number of visitors when compared to January to March, last year.
