A record breaking number of travellers visited the Western Cape during the holiday season, bringing a much needed cash injection for businesses in the tourism industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, said expectations of a record-breaking season were realised with more than 400 000 visitors being recorded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added: \u201cThis is excellent news for the economy and for the hundreds of thousands of jobs supported by tourism in the province.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A number of tourist attractions in the Overberg were highlighted in this report that states that these regional attractions, including the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden in Betty\u2019s Bay, Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, Arniston Hotel and Spa, the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp and Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary outside Stanford recorded a foot count of nearly 20 000 visitors cumulatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The monthly tourism report compiled by the Western Cape Government\u2019s (WCG) trade, investment, and tourism promotion agency, Wesgro, indicates that the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden saw a 17.7% year-on-year growth rate in December 2023, and a positive increase in visitor numbers to the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse of 5.1% and Arniston Hotel & Spa of 2.0% was also recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overstrand Executive Mayor Dr Annelie Rabie said: \u201cThe continued rise in visitor numbers started early and the Overstrand experienced a more equitable geographic spread of economic benefits during our peak festive season\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stanford\u2019s festive lights installed by Checkers as part of a seasonal campaign was a hit. Close to 10 000 people attended the two Stanford Sunset Markets held on 25 November and 15 December. This record attendance contributed to vendors reporting their best ever December sales since the market was founded in 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A poll conducted by Overstrand Tourism showed 70% of respondents reported increased business performance when compared to the booming 2022-\u201923 festive period, 22% reported the same performance and 8% informed that their trade was below the previous year\u2019s level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second Grootbek in Kleinmond entertainment series in December doubled up on tickets sold during the previous year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hot Summer of Touch Rugby in Kleinmond brought 32 participating teams to the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outdoor activities such as walks in nature, swimming in tidal pools and at beaches, visiting markets, and exploring the region were listed as the favourite experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gansbaai businesses also gave a confident thumbs up on their business earnings. It was a continuation on a good year with August and October being Kleinbaai Harbour\u2019s busiest months indicating that although tourism activity might quiet down during June and July, tourism has evened out to a large extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFollowing what has been a record-breaking tourism season for our province, we must all harness this momentum towards further growing our economy in 2024. This bumper season was made possible by the thousands of hard-working hospitality staff, backed by law enforcement bodies and disaster management officials who ensured visitors as well as residents, were safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI look forward to us all maintaining this positive economic momentum into upcoming tourism seasons,\u201d concluded Premier Alan Winde. \u201cThrough this we can create even more jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A record breaking number of travellers visited the Western Cape during the holiday season, bringing a much needed cash injection for businesses in the tourism 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