[imagesource:gencraftai]

In a December to remember, Cape Town International Airport’s international terminal witnessed a travel frenzy, hosting a whopping 317,000 globetrotters, breaking all previous records, including the high of 290,000 in January 2020.

As if that’s not impressive enough, these international visitors pumped a staggering R1.9 billion directly into the Western Cape economy, giving it a turbo boost in growth and securing crucial jobs across the province.

This incredible milestone sets the stage for 2023, where the overall two-way international passenger numbers skyrocketed to over 2.8 million, leaving the 2019 record of 2.6 million in the dust.

Hold on, there’s more. The total two-way international passenger figures for 2023 nearly doubled over the past decade, jumping from 1.5 million in 2013.

Per the Tourism Update, Regional General Manager of Cape Town International Airport Cluster, Mark Maclean, said that they are very pleased with the passenger growth because of the positive impact on tourism and trade, the economy and job creation.

“We will now focus on the coming weeks as passengers return home, and the remainder of the peak season. We are forecasting continued high passenger volumes as our visitors enjoy the summer.”

“These outstanding figures highlight the robustness and diversity of our destination, showcasing the success of our marketing efforts and strategic partnerships,” said James Vos, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

“The authenticity in our marketing allowed us to present the rich variety of offerings to a global audience, both new and returning travellers.”

“Through our collaborative partnerships with various sectors and industry bodies, Cape Town and the province have strengthened connections with key source markets worldwide. My unwavering commitment is to continue working towards increasing the number of flights bringing investors and visitors, aiming to secure tourism-related jobs in every Cape Town household.”

It’s a clear sign that Cape Town and the Western Cape are not just travel destinations – they’re the ultimate hotspots taking the world by storm.

[source:tourismupdate]