The tourism sector in the Western Cape continues to grow as more visitors flock to the province, bringing economic and job-creating benefits.
Also read: Western Cape tourism grows by 16% in first quarter
This is according to the latest report compiled by the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) tourism, trade and investment promotion agency, Wesgro, which found that the number of visitors to the province between January and April 2024 increased by 17% compared to the same period last year.
This translates to 3 206 546 visitors who visited the 53 participating attractions across the six regions of the Western Cape, the Western Cape Government reports.
‘I always look forward to receiving these monthly reports as they contain such promising news of growth, that I know will translate into benefits and jobs for residents across the Western Cape,’ says Mireille Wenger, the provincial minister of finance and economic opportunities.
The top five participating Western Cape attractions with the highest volume of visitors between January and April 2024 were:
- Table Mountain National Park (1 176 683)
- Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (425 515)
- Table Mountain National Park: Cape of Good Hope (371 620)
- Table Mountain National Park: Boulders (319 766)
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (251 301)
The following nature/outdoor attractions are among the top five to record the highest year-on-year growth rates between January and April 2024:
- Stony Point Eco Venue (383%)
- De Hoop Nature Reserve (331%)
- Walker Bay Nature Reserve (224%)
- Kogelberg Nature Reserve (202%)
- Swartberg Nature Reserve (169%)
Furthermore, total tourist arrivals to Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) via air maintained a positive trend into the second quarter of 2024, with a 13% year-on-year increase between January and April.
This amounts to 405 021 tourists, exceeding the 2019 total of 350 020, as recorded by Statistics SA.
Between January and April, 91% of total air arrivals to Cape Town were from international markets, including 9% from the rest of Africa.
Most international arrivals during this period were from the United Kingdom (UK), followed by Germany, the United States of America (US), the Netherlands and France.
A strong European presence was recorded during the first four months of 2024, of which seven out of 10 source markets originated from the continent.
The top air market from Africa to Cape Town was led by Namibia, followed by Zimbabwe, Angola, Kenya and Mozambique.
During this time, CTIA’s international terminal saw a 12% year-on-year growth compared to last year as more than 1 158 000 two-way passengers moved through the terminal.
The domestic terminal also recorded 12% year-on-year growth compared to last year. Between January and April, more than 2 430 000 two-way passengers passed through CTIA’s domestic terminal.
In addition, George Airport’s passenger movement recovered by 98%, recording 264 571 two-way passengers between January and April 2024.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
‘Together with Wesgro and our partners across the sector, we are determined to boost this incredible sector. We have just opened applications for the Province’s 2024 Tourism Growth Fund, which will provide project funding to qualifying organisations for tourism development, tourism infrastructure, and tourism product development,’ says Wenger.
‘This will assist businesses to expand their already impressive offerings as well as further develop tourism infrastructure, to support the growth of the number of visitors to the Western Cape.
‘The growth in the tourism sector shows promise that the WCG’s ambitious goal set out in our economic action plan, ‘Growth For Jobs’ (G4J), is starting to deliver practical results,’ she adds.
‘G4J aims to double the number of visitors to the province by 2035 to enable a R1 trillion, jobs-rich, inclusive, diverse, and resilient provincial economy that is growing at between 4% and 6% in real terms. Together, we can realise this vision across the economy, to lift many more residents from poverty into prosperity.’
For more information on the 2024 Tourism Growth Fund, visit the WCG’s website.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city, at half the price? Get exclusive offers here.
Also read:
Cape Town’s property market hits highs: Apartments top R70k/pm
Picture: Jacques Nel / Unsplash