Celebrations are once again in order for our beautiful city, which has been crowned Africa’s Leading City Destination 2022 by World Travel Award voters.
This is the second consecutive year that Cape Town has received the accolade.
The World Travel Awards are the gold standard for the industry and bring with them global attention. It also follows a string of similar recognition such as that of Condé Nast Traveller readers ranking Cape Town as the 9th best city in the world, the UK’s Telegraph newspaper naming it the third-best global city, and the Halal Travel Awards (2022) awarding us with the Most Promising Muslim-friendly City Destination of The Year (Non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation).
These awards are recognition of the tireless efforts of the City and its partners, including our official Destination Marketing Organisation, Cape Town Tourism (CTT), in uniquely and successfully connecting with audiences in source markets across the world through clever campaigns such as Find Your Freedom.
The interactive concept allows users to choose an avatar – a Fearless Foodie, Nature Warrior or Urban Adventurer – for a virtual taste of Cape Town. The interactive travel experience is a first-of-its-kind for a destination marketing organisation aimed at increasing bookings and highlighting unique Cape Town experiences.
At the same time, we are helping local businesses to attract tourists by giving them the information and skills resources to shape their operations. For example, CTT has rolled out a Neighbourhood Experience Development training manual to help guide SMMEs in developing their businesses and to encourage neighbourhood readiness. CTT also hosts business development workshops and networking events for their 1000-plus members and the City of Cape Town further supports entrepreneurs with business services and a series of free upskilling classes.
Thanks to our campaigns and the global recognition of platforms such as the World Travel Awards, a busy season is expected with 184 international flights per week expected between November and December. This is set to increase to 191 flights per week between January and March next year. This amounts to approximately 1,56 million two-way seats between November 2022 and March 2023, generating a whopping R7,9 billion in tourism spend.
Through tourism, we are helping our communities to create job opportunities while sustainably growing the economy.