More than one million tourists visited the Western Cape during the month of October this year, the DA’s chairperson for the standing committee on agriculture, economic development and tourism, Noko Masipa, says.
In a statement issued on Thursday (27 November) the DA said it welcomes Wesgro’s latest Air Access data for the month of October, which confirms that the province continues to lead South Africa’s tourism recovery and expansion. The report shows that the province’s airport network delivered another month of double-digit growth, reflecting a sector that is strengthening ahead of the festive season.
Cape Town International Airport processed more than 287 000 international two-way passengers in October, representing a year-on-year increase of 15%. South Africa recorded 927 426 international arrivals in October, and the Western Cape accounted for more than a third of that total, says Masipa.
“October’s tourism performance shows a province in full stride. The Western Cape continues to attract more visitors due to our tourism offering. This momentum support jobs, drives small business growth and positions in the province for a strong summer season,” he says.
Masipa was asked how many tourists are expected to visit the province this December festive season.
“On the number side, we are just estimating, and we call nothing less than 15% growth,” he responded, adding that it could be lower, but that they remain very optimistic.
While there are no official estimates yet for two-way passenger movement this coming December, all indicators point that the Western Cape is going to have the busiest festive season to date, he says.
December last year saw 331 295 two-way international passengers and 706 641 two-way domestic passengers through Cape Town International Airport, a combined total of 1 037 936 passengers. Given the continued upward trajectory in aviation and tourism demand, we anticipate higher volumes this festive season, says Masipa.
Masipa was also asked to which specific tourist sites tourists flock in the province. In terms of visitor behaviour, the province’s most iconic destinations remain consistently popular. Table Mountain National Park, Cape Nature Parks across the province, the V&A Waterfront and our beaches are expected to draw significant footfall, alongside the many cultural, food, wine and nature-based experiences that make the Western Cape a leading leisure destination, Masipa says.
