The Western Cape Province has experienced a significant increase in the number of visitors to its various attractions, with a 54% growth recorded compared to the previous year. This surge has been due to domestic and international tourists who are eager to explore the region’s rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes. As a result, Wesgro, the Western Cape Government’s official tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency, has compiled a monthly tourism report highlighting the province’s achievement in attracting visitors.
In May 2023, 14 participating attractions across the Western Cape’s five regions welcomed a total of 176,651 visitors. This includes both locals and foreigners who have been eager to experience the rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes that the region has to offer.
The report reveals some noteworthy highlights, such as the full recovery of international two-way passengers going through Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) in the period between January to May 2023. This number reached 105% of the passenger count recorded in 2019. Additionally, during the same period, 2.7 million domestic two-way passengers passed through CTIA, while George Airport witnessed a 3% year-on-year increase in two-way passengers, with a total of 327,179 travelers.
Moreover, Cape Town recorded 46,966 tourist arrivals via air in May 2023, with 86% coming from overseas markets and 14% from the African continent. The share of overseas tourists in Cape Town reached full recovery when compared to pre-pandemic levels, a testament to travelers’ growing confidence and the region’s successful recovery efforts.
Among the top source markets for Cape Town were the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and France, which played a significant role in boosting the city’s tourist numbers. The European market has been the largest contributor to tourist arrivals in Cape Town, with six out of the top 10 source markets originating from the continent.
Furthermore, six out of the 14 participating attractions have fully recovered in May 2023, compared to visitor levels recorded in May 2019. MEC Wenger expressed her delight at the sustained recovery in tourism in the province over the first five months of 2023, particularly with the robust international tourist numbers.
With the Western Cape’s winter period fast approaching, the region’s tourism stakeholders are optimistic about a strong demand for travel. Locals are encouraged to explore and support their stunning province by visiting its various attractions, ensuring their children are entertained and engaged throughout the holidays.
The Western Cape’s significant increase in visitor numbers across its attractions demonstrates the province’s resilience and ability to bounce back from challenging global events. As both domestic and international tourists continue to flock to the region, it is poised to strengthen its position as a premier global tourism destination.
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