The strength of a passport is crucial for global travel, and South Africa’s passport ranks at 52 on the Henley & Partners Passport Index, with a visafree score of 108. This means that South African passport holders can visit 108 countries worldwide without a visa, including destinations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. While some countries provide visas upon arrival, others require an electronic travel authority. The index highlights the disparities in worldwide travel freedom, but South African passport bearers have access to a rich spectrum of experiences and limitless exploration potential.
Cape Town International Airport has achieved an unprecedented performance, with 317,000 travelers in December 2021, infusing almost R1.9 billion in direct expenditure into the local economy. This achievement has fortified the financial position of Western Cape and has become a pipeline for economic progress, creating opportunities and securing jobs. CTIA’s joint project, Cape Town Air Access, played a pivotal role in attracting flights to the region and boosting tourism, leading to positive knockon effects on job opportunities and economic possibilities for the province.