There has been a 60% increase in two-way passengers through Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) in the first 9 months of this year. Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC, Mireille Wenger says this is in comparison with stats over the same period, last year. She says over 6.8 million two-way passengers came through the airport between January and September of this year.
Two-way CTIA-passengers sees 60% increase
She says of the more than 6 million passengers, 1.9 million were international and 4.9 million were domestic two-way passengers.
MORE ABOUT: Tourist arrivals exceed pre-pandemic levels
These figures are contained in the monthly tourism report compiled by the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) trade, investment, and tourism promotion agency, Wesgro.
Wenger added, “We continue to see the impressive growth of tourists coming to the province. This is extremely exciting and a trend that we anticipate will not only continue but will far exceed all previous summer seasons.”
Impressive growth
Here are some other interesting data from the September tourism report:
• Two-way passengers through George Airport reached 576 347 between January and September 2023. This represents a 3% year-on-year increase compared to January and September 2022.
• Between January and September 2023, Cape Town recorded a total of 621 238 tourist arrivals via air. Of this 89% originated from overseas markets and 11% from the African continent.
• Total tourist arrivals as well as overseas tourist arrivals via air remained at full recovery in September 2023 year-to-date compared to January and September 2019.
Where are the tourists from:
• The UK continues to lead as the top source market to Cape Town (via air) between January and September 2023. The USA is a very close second, followed by Germany, Netherlands and France in the top 5 positions.
• The European market remains the largest contributor to tourist arrivals into Cape Town, with 6 out of the top 10 source markets originating from the continent.
• The cumulative total of tourist arrivals between January and September 2023 reflected full recovery from 8 out of the top 10 source markets to Cape Town (via air), against the same period in 2019 (Jan – Sep). These markets included UK (105%), USA (142%), Germany (104%), Netherlands (112%), Italy (109%), India (104%), Canada (104%) and Zimbabwe (178%).
Safety
The top 5 highest year-on-year growth rates in September 2023 were recorded for:
o Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area (385%)
o Robben Island (270%)
o Swartberg Nature Reserve (178%)
o Keurbooms River Nature Reserve (91%)
o Wilderness National Park (72%)
Wenger continued, “We are also working hard with all stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector, as well as with our partners responsible for safety and security to address key concerns regarding the safety of hikers in and around the Table Mountain National Park and Lions head.”
Red carpet adventures
She added, “We continue to prepare to roll out the red carpet for visitors, both international and domestic in the coming months.
MORE ABOUT: Last year’s report
“We are determined to do all we can to enable the continued expansion of this significant sector to boost economic growth and create many more jobs for residents,” Wenger concluded.
