Statement by Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth

I am delighted to share that our wonderful Mother City has again been nominated for a string of accolades at the World Travel Awards Africa region 2022.  Read more below:

These awards are the gold standard in the travel world and bring significant economic benefits to the city.
 
This year, Cape Town is up for: 

1. Africa’s Leading Beach Destination 2022: Cape Town, South Africa
2. Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2022: Cape Town, South Africa
3. Africa’s Leading City Destination 2022: Cape Town, South Africa
4. Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination 2022: Cape Town, South Africa
5. Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2022: Cape Town, South Africa
6. Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2022: Table Mountain, South Africa

Having been to communities and attractions all across our metro and meeting Capetonians in the tourism and hospitality industry who are visibly proud of their home city, I know that we are deserving of every accolade. I have said it before and I will say it again: Cape Town is Africa’s best city because of the people who make up its cultures, cuisines, and communities.  Many agree.

Just last year, Cape Town International Airport was named the continent’s best, while Table Mountain took home the prize for Africa’s leading attraction. And Cape Town was also voted Africa’s leading city destination.

One of the biggest priorities in my role as the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth is helping to grow Cape Town’s visitor economy.

The City, together with our official Destination Marketing Organisation, Cape Town Tourism, works continuously to keep the metro top of mind for domestic and international visitors while simultaneously supporting local tourism enterprises. Most recently, the group launched Find Your Freedom, a first-of-its-kind interactive platform that showcases different kinds of experiences across the city.

Thanks to these and other initiatives, Cape Town’s visitor economy has made a fantastic recovery from the pandemic. In aviation, passenger movements have recovered to approximately 80%. Alongside this, accommodation data for the Mother City is also looking positive with occupancy rates reaching 66.6%.

The recognition of platforms such as the World Travel Awards will further help in this endeavour.

So vote now, Cape Town!

Source: City Of Cape Town