Cape Town’s tourism thrives with full recovery in air arrivals

Cape Town’s tourism sector is back in full swing, with air arrivals from eight of the top 10 source markets fully recovering to pre-pandemic levels, Cape {town} Etc reports.

Also read: Cape Town International Airport surpasses 10 million passengers mark

This was revealed during Western Cape Premier Alan Winde’s visit to the Overberg earlier this month to observe World Tourism Day.

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The latest data from Wesgro – the official tourism, trade and investment promotion entity for the Western Cape – reveals the following:

Between January and July 2024:

• Tourist arrivals to Cape Town (via air) increased by 9% year-on-year, reaching 551 469 tourists. Of these air arrivals, 90% to Cape Town originate from overseas and 10% from Africa.
• The UK remains the top overseas market to Cape Town, followed by the USA, Germany, Netherlands, and France.
• About six out of the top 10 source markets to the Western Cape originate from the European region.
• Compared to 2019, overseas air arrivals to Cape Town fully recovered from eight out of the top 10 source markets. These markets include the UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, India,
  Canada, Australia and Italy.
• Namibia emerged as the leading air market from Africa to Cape Town, with Zimbabwe securing the second position.
• Air arrivals to Cape Town from the rest of Africa during this period fully recovered from seven of the top 10 source markets compared to 2019.
• The Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp saw a 13% increase in visitors compared to 2023.

‘We are spoilt for choice in the Western Cape when it comes to tourist attractions for local and international visitors,’ Winde said.

‘There is something here in the Western Cape for everybody.

‘You can learn so much about our province’s rich and diverse history, but you also get valuable insights into how residents who work in the tourism sector are taking advantage of the region’s past, incorporating it into their business models – there is so much to celebrate here.’

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Picture: Matthew Sichkaruk / Unsplash