Last year was a whirlwind of ups and downs for the tourism industry, but how did our tourism industry do over this past festive season and how did it compare to 2020 and even the 2019 seasons?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Frieda Lloyd, Whale Coast Tourism Manager, 2021 continued the roller coaster ride for travel and tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe held our breath as we approached the peak holiday season with travel bans and uncertainty about lockdown regulations. Today, we are giving a sigh of relief. It was no easy ride but the collective effort of the Overstrand\u2019s hospitality industry helped to make this season a great one. The entrepreneurs who started new businesses, expanded on existing premises, and added to their offering should be applauded for their confidence and creativity,\u201d says Lloyd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately travel restrictions eased up towards middle December when, with much lobbying, South Africa was removed from our biggest source market, the UK\u2019s, red list on 15 December. \u201cThe lifting of the curfew came just in time for New Year\u2019s Eve celebrations and definitely made a positive impact. The four Cape Whale Coast Tourism offices saw the highest number of visitors since January 2020, Harold Porter Botanical Gardens reported an increase of 526 visitors as compared with December 2020 with Cape Nature\u2019s Stony Point and the Kogelberg stating that they experienced a \u2018very busy\u2019 month. Final figures are still being calculated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rudolf van der Berg from Burgundy Restaurant says he can only compare 2021 to 2019 as that was the last normal year, as most businesses were still under a total lockdown during 2020\u2019s festive season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCompared to 2019 we are actually up in business. We had a great year and season. The season went on a bit longer in 2022 because the schools are starting a bit later. Burgundy\u2019s Restaurant had a great season,\u201d says Van der Berg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shane Sauvage, owner of La Pentola, says they had a great season in Hermanus. \u201cAnything is better than the last two years. A very strong local season with the effect of the flights being cancelled in December which put a damper on things. But we did do well with our local tourists, and we are blessed that they stayed on a bit longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are very blessed that Hermanus has been identified as a holiday destination and a choice above many. The input of our new mayor, the amazing offerings that are happening all around and the \u2018I Love Hermanus\u2019 campaign, the standard of all of our great restaurants and accommodation make us a world class destination,\u201d says Sauvage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lloyd mentions that the Overstrand hosted 219 unique events during December as well as the regularly weekly and monthly events which brings the total events to 289. \u201cIt was encouraging to see our venue owners collaborating with well-known musicians to stage a good number of live music performances. These events were generally well supported,\u201d says Lloyd. She also adds that the feedback from restaurants and accommodation has been optimistic, and they look forward to seeing this buoyant trend continue right through to Easter and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs the season continues for a while longer, we are pleased with how it has rolled out. Also encouraging is to see regular \u2018swallows\u2019 arriving for the first time in two years,\u201d concludes Lloyd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cape Whale Coast Tourism regularly updates an events page and the link for this is https:\/\/whalecoast.info\/events-page\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last year was a whirlwind of ups and downs for the tourism industry, but how did our tourism industry do over this past festive season and how did it compare to 2020 and even the 2019 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