Western Cape Tourism Seek Locals Help For Their Slow Season

Western Cape tourism statistics suggest a delayed rebound when compared to 2019. The winter season is at its lowest when compared to its peak months in the summer. The figures were released in Wesgro’s June 2022 report, a monthly publication that provides significant insights about visitor arrivals and trends in the Western Cape.

Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger said: “During our quieter winter low-season our message to residents in the province, and South Africans across the country, is to get out and travel the length and breadth of our beautiful province so that we support this wonderful sector. There are so many good winter deals on offer, and of course, so much to see and experience in the Western Cape.”

“It is also recommended that the tourism and hospitality sector use this time to prepare for the projected growth in visitors that are expected from the end of the year. Maintaining our service levels will ensure that the province remains a “return” tourism destination, with visitors coming back again in the future.”

Key Findings {Compared to 2019}:

• Passengers passing through Cape Town International Airport’s international terminal recovered at a pace of 73% in June 2022.
• Domestic recovery fell to 62% in June after staying between 70 and 80% since the beginning of the year.
• Passengers via George Airport recovered at an 86 % rate.
• The main source market for Cape Town (by air) are the United Kingdom, followed by Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, and France.
• Hotel occupancy in the Western Cape was 41.4% in June 2022, marking an 82 % recovery rate from 2019.
• The most popular sorts of attractions frequented by both local and foreign tourists were shopping and markets. The V&A Waterfront, Willowbridge, Tygervalley, and Hermanus Market Square were all popular shopping destinations.
• Shipwreck Museum (+1758%), Robben Island (+347%), Cango Caves (+267%), Table Mountain: Boulders (+206%), and Table Mountain: Aerial Cableway (+205%) had the greatest year-on-year growth rates.