Cape Town’s tourist boom: 70% surge sparks summer excitement

Great news comes ahead of the festive season rush, with a surge in tourists heading to Cape Town, according to Stats SA.

Year-to-date figures indicate a robust influx of tourists in 2023, promising a thriving summer tourism season, according to The Citizen.

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Examining the data closely, South Africa witnessed a remarkable 70.6% increase in international tourist arrivals, with 4.8 million visitors from January to August 2023 compared to the same period last year.

CAPE TOWN HAS A BOOST OF TOURISTS IN 2023

The City emerged as the top destination, followed by popular safari spots like Kruger, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

This surge indicates a significant return of tourists to Cape Town and the country after the lull caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Leading the pack in international visitors were the United Kingdom, Germany, the US, and the Netherlands.

Notably, tourism and hospitality experts highlight a rising number of holidaymakers from the Middle East and India, attributed partly to South African Tourism’s BRICS expansion initiatives.

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Earlier this year, South African Tourism and Emirates Airlines entered into a memorandum to promote tourism within the Emirates network.

Guests from the Middle East are spending an impressive 15 to 20 days in South Africa, surpassing the average duration.

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This positive trend signifies a rejuvenation in the tourism sector, offering hope for economic recovery and showcasing South Africa as a preferred destination amid ongoing global challenges.

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