GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Western Cape tourism statistics released in April by Wesgro show a return to pre-Covid visitor numbers to the province in the first quarter of 2022, with the Garden Route & Klein Karoo region also getting its share in the growth.
According to Wesgro's February Air Access Update, George Airport's domestic terminal has shown a consistent recovery through 2020 and into the first quarter of 2022, with January and February experiencing an 86% and 87% recovery respectively.
"In these two months alone, 111 191 passengers have travelled through the terminal. The preliminary data set for 1 to 6 March 2022 depicts that this positive growth will continue as shown by the 92% passenger recovery compared to the same period in 2019," says Wesgro.
George Airport manager Brenda Vorster said she is "ecstatic" at the growth in both passenger numbers and flights. "However, what remains a priority is the health and safety of our passengers, and ensuring a great passenger experience.
"As an airport we are cautiously optimistic that the growth will continue, as we welcome passengers to the beautiful Garden Route."
Hotel occupancy doubles
The February Wesgro Tourism Research Overview shows that hotel occupancy in the province more than doubled from 23% in February 2021 to 60% in February 2022. This is a recovery rate of 75% when compared to February 2019.
"Domestic tourists to the Western Cape spent the longest time in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo (3,2 days). Nearly 70% of sampled domestic tourists stayed overnight in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo, which is higher than the general average for the province (52,2%)," reads the overview.
Among international tourists, 27,5% visitors to the Garden Route & Klein Karoo region and 50,4% of domestic visitors did repeat visits.
Attractions in the province also saw steep growth. In the Garden Route & Klein Karoo, Wilderness National Park had an 87% recovery in visitor numbers in February 2022 compared to February 2019.
There was a 56% increase compared to February 2021.
The Cango Caves saw a 21% recovery from February 2019 and a 190% growth in visitors compared to February 2021.
Tsitsikamma National Park had a 37% recovery compared to 2019 and Knysna National Park a 97% recovery in February 2022 compared to February 2019.
"Shopping and markets was the most popular type of attraction among both domestic and international tourists. Natural attractions, especially Table Mountain and Cape Point, were popular among both domestic and international tourists. The Knysna Waterfront was popular among domestic visitors who spent a lot of time here," states the overview.
Read more on sister publication, George Herald
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