The Mother City, sitting at the foot of Table Mountain has shown a great recovery in tourism this year, following the Covid-19 pandemic of 3 years ago.

For the first time, luxury cruise liners were allowed back in our ports. This season, more than 190 000 new passengers are finally visiting our shores again.

The City and the province’s official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency, Wesgro says it’s Air Access iniative to lure more airlines, is also reaping success. Several international airlines are now flying directly into Cape Town, with the most recent flights straight from Washington DC and Orlando in Florida.

When it comes to awards, the City has managed to bag quite a few – for the fourth year in a row – Table Mountain won Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction. It was nominated alongside Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Lake Malawi and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Also at the World Travel Awards, Cape Town International Airport was again named Africa’s Leading Airport – this was for a second year in a row.

One the entertainment front, the City’s Festive Lights Switch-On event – themed City of Hope, made a post-pandemic come back. 80 000 residents descended on the CBD, to laugh and sing and dance and watch the laser show on the old City Hall building.

The Kaapse Klopse and Malay choir festival has also returned after the enforced Covid absence. The Tweede Nuwe Jaar street parade is a holiday season highlight. More than 13 000 minstrels in silk outfits march through the streets twirling colourful umbrellas and playing an array of musical instruments.

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