Cape Town boasts robust visitation figures for the ’22 holiday season

According to reports, Cape Town’s tourism has excelled all predictions and is close to returning to pre-pandemic levels.

According to the City of Cape Town Municipality, Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) reported a 72% increase in domestic tourists and a 98% increase in international visitors compared to the holiday season in December 2019.

Alderman James Vos, a member of the Mayor’s Committee for Economic Growth, stated that the official numbers indicate a substantial rebound and, in some cases, surpass pre-Covid-19 rates.

Mark Maclean, regional general manager of the International Airport, stated that the holiday season was characterized by dependable operations.

According to Maclean, the airport had a joyful atmosphere and employed additional personnel to handle the increased passenger flow, aided by technology.

“We are thrilled with the 98% increase in foreign passengers compared to 2019, which has been driven by the return of airlines and the launch of new airlines at CTIA. Additionally, domestic passenger demand was strong, and we anticipate an increase in airline capacity this year,” he said.

In addition to the rebound in air traffic, Cape Town Tourism’s most recent travel statistics suggest that tourists’ interest in Mother City’s renowned attractions has increased significantly.

Groot Constantia reported a 71% recovery compared to 2019 statistics, Kirstenbosch 76%, Robben Island 89%, Chapmans Peak 95%, and Table Mountain over 100%.

Views along Chapmans Peak on the route from Hout Bay to Noetdorp on February 4, 2017. Photograph by Laura Carey/Getty Images

Wahida Parker, chairperson of Cape Town Tourism and managing director of Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, remarked that it is remarkable that Table Mountain continues to attract visitors from around the world over the holidays.

This December, the holiday season was undoubtedly in full flow. “The influx of visitors to our city were able to complement their beach visits and wine-tasting excursions with a hike up Table Mountain or a ride on our cable car while taking in the magnificent views of the surrounding area,” Parker added.

This holiday season, the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Mother City reported a total foot traffic of 95% of its 2019 estimates. As a result of the increase in foot traffic and the extension of business hours, the amusement destination’s retailers surpassed their 2019 sales figures.

Mervyn Naidoo, the general manager of GrandWest, stated that the previous fiscal year revealed significant signals of revival.

According to a survey conducted by CT Tourism, 85 percent of its members believe that December’s performance was significantly better than in 2019. The primary international source markets, according to respondents, are the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Cape Town, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal were the key domestic markets.