The Mother City is preparing for what promises to be another record-breaking festive season in 2024. The beloved destination anticipates a bustling atmosphere and soaring tourism numbers during this holiday period.
As reported by IOL, Cape Town International Airport saw an increase of 18% in international visitors in December 2023. This growth continued into early 2024, with a recorded increase of 13% in tourist arrivals from January to April.
Scene after sunset looking towards Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain from the coastline at Blouberg.
According to Wesley Cowan, Managing Director of Galetti Auction in Cape Town, the Mother City remains an affordable option compared to other cities such as London and New York. This contributes to why it is consistently ranked among the world’s top travel destinations.
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In a report by Cape Town Etc, it was also highlighted that the city’s popularity was further solidified by the recognition it received. In October 2024, Cape Town clinched the title of Africa’s Leading City Destination at the World Travel Awards for the fourth consecutive year.
Tourism continues to be a cornerstone of Cape Town’s economy, and well-maintained infrastructure remains a key draw for both tourists and businesses despite other challenges faced by the city.
Picture: Zoë Reeve/Unsplash
The key trends which are expected to shape Cape Town’s summer season include a growth in short term rentals as the city’s Airbnb market has outpaced that of other major cities.
‘Tourists increasingly prefer staying in local-style accommodations for an authentic experience rather than booking larger hotels. This trend could lead to more buy-to-let investments, with some sellers opting for auctions to increase competition and selling prices,’ expressed Cowan.
There is also a rise in experiential tourism as new attractions such as the Durbanville Wine Safari and the Uber Safari service take centre stage.
Moreover, cruise tourism is also a key trend as a high demand from international visitors continues to fuel this sector. During the 2023/24 season, the cruise industry contributed R1,32 billion to Cape Town’s economy. Nearly 2 000 jobs were created across tourism and other related fields.
Likewise, this upcoming festive season bears the potential to benefit the local economy.
‘I’m excited to see how increased demand over the festive season could drive growth in both residential and commercial property markets,’ added Cowan.
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