Cape Town sees over 2 million international passengers

TRAVEL TO CAPE TOWN SHOWS IMMENSE GROWTH

Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) has recorded incredible recovery numbers compared with pre-pandemic levels and a 57% increase in two-way international passengers, when compared with the same period in 2022.

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As per the monthly tourism report compiled by the Western Cape Government’s official trade, investment, and tourism promotion agency, Wesgro, the airport saw over two million international tourist arrivals, and over 5.5 million domestic two-way passengers from January to October 2023.

“We are very excited for the upcoming summer tourism season, which is shaping up to be truly impressive, and possibly even record-breaking as we are expecting 25% more international visitors than last season, exceeding one million inbound seats for the first time ever. This is fantastic news for a sector that contributes so much in terms of economic impact and job creation in the Western Cape,” Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger said.

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KEY FINDINGS

Other major stand-outs from the report as reported by Tourism Update were:

• The year-to-date total air arrivals from Africa fully recovered for the first time in October 2023, when compared with the period Jan-Oct 2019.
• As of October 2023, the cumulative total of US tourist arrivals to Cape Town (via air) exceeded the UK and was the top air market to Cape Town between January and October year-to-date, with the UK a very close second, followed by Germany, the Netherlands and France in the top five positions.
• The European market remains the largest contributor to air arrivals into Cape Town, with six out of the top ten source markets originating from the continent.
• The top-five highest year-on-year growth rates in October were recorded for Anysberg Nature Reserve (867%), Stony Point Eco Venue (109%), Walker Bay Nature Reserve (65%), Table Mountain National Park: Boulders (47%) and Table Mountain National Park: Cape of Good Hope (31%).