The recovery of the Western Cape tourism sector seems to be on track after it was revealed that 4.35 million two-way domestic travellers have made their way through Cape Town International Airport this year.

This represents a recovery of 71% for the year to date, when compared to the same period in 2019.

In the month of September, approximately 486 000 two-way domestic and 152 000 international travellers passed through CTIA, representing recovery rates of 66% and 81% respectively, when compared to the same month in 2019.

The findings are included in Wesgro’s monthly tourism report for September 2022, which provides valuable insights into tourism trends in the Western Cape.

“As we gear up for an impressive summer season, these recovery rates are very welcome and expected to only increase going forward. This is why I recently hosted a ‘Summer Readiness Dialogue’ with key stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector which focused on key preparations for the upcoming summer season.” said MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger.

Other key finding include:

• In September 2022, two-way passengers through CTIA’s international terminal reached a recovery rate of 81% when compared to the same month in 2019.
• The domestic terminal recovery was at 66% in September 2022 and passengers through George Airport recovered to 86% when compared to September 2019.
• Europe regained its position as the Western Cape’s top region for tourist arrivals, with six out of the top ten source markets to Cape Town originating from that continent.
• Hotel occupancy for the Western Cape stood at 57,6% in September 2022, representing a recovery rate of 85% when compared to 2019.
• The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for the Western Cape grew to R1,646.12 and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) reached R948.75. ADR exceeded September 2019 levels, recovering to 114% and RevPAR reached 96% recovery.
• Footfall at 26 participating attractions recorded a total of 452 469 visitors in September 2022, a 78% year-on-year growth in the number of visitors and a recovery rate of 59% when compared to September 2019.
• The top five highest year-on-year growth rates in September 2022 were recorded for Table Mountain National Park: Boulders (176%), Table Mountain National Park: Cape of Good Hope (171%), Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (161%), Shipwreck Museum (150%) and Knysna National Park (140%).
• Amongst all participating attractions, Viljoensdrift River Cruise (149%) and Knysna National Park (146%) fully recovered and exceeded their September 2019 figures.
• Against September 2019, noteworthy recovery rates were reached at De Hoop Nature Reserve (95%), Kogelberg Nature Reserve (94%), Old Jail (98%), Karoo National Park (93%) and! Khwa ttu (81%) in September 2022.

Wenger added that “We may still have some way to go to achieve our goal of surpassing pre-pandemic tourism figures, but I am confident that we are well on our way to doing so, especially in the upcoming summer season. As government, we continue to work hard to remove any obstacles to the success of this vital sector, which creates so many jobs and contributes significantly to our regional economy.”

“This includes strongly advocating for the implementation of a ‘Remote Working Visa,’ increasing connections to the Western Cape through the very successful Air Access unit within Wesgro and working with industry to ensure that they are prepared to roll out the red carpet for visitors, to ensure that they keep coming back.”