KNYSNA NEWS - Initial reports on the December 2017 peak tourism month show high growth in international arrivals, and an increase in visitors to regions across the Western Cape – including Knysna.

In a press release issued on 11 January by the Western Cape minister of economic opportunities Alan Winde, it was stated, "According to Airports Company SA, Cape Town International Airport registered 127 309 international arrivals for December 2017, an 11.5% increase from December 2016.

"Domestic arrivals by air dipped slightly by 2.2% to 389 324. It is anticipated that many local tourists chose to use land travel to access the province."

Wesgro – Cape Town and the Western Cape’s official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency – spoke to local tourism offices in the region to gain an initial idea of how the province performed this past December. 

Official statistics will be published by SA Tourism at a later date.

Winde welcomed initial reports of increases in regional trips.

“The positive feedback received from these offices points to a growth in geographic spread. 

"More people are getting out onto the open road and exploring the diversity of attractions that are on offer across the province.”

The following is initial feedback received from local tourism offices in some regions across the Cape, according to the press release:

• Mossel Bay and Knysna noted an increase in tourists. Mossel Bay in particular noted an increase in visitors from India.

• Wilderness/George noted an increase, notably in visitors from the Middle East.

• Swellendam also noted an increase in tourists, with regular return visitors from Cape Town.

• Barrydale recorded the highest number of visitors to the town in the last two years.

• Bredasdorp and Cape Agulhas reported positive growth in tourist arrivals. Struisbaai had approximately 20 000 people to its beaches. L`Agulhas Lighthouse registered a 34.5% increase in visitors.

• Grootbos Nature Reserve in Gansbaai registered a positive peak season, with the majority of international visitors emanating from Germany, the UK, Netherlands and Italy.

• McGregor and Tulbagh both noted an increase. Tulbagh in particular noted more domestic visitors.

• Paternoster had more local visitors during the season to date, particularly from Gauteng and the Western Cape; the leading international markets remained Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

• Hermanus also recorded an increase in visitors, retaining its normal European source market. Spain was noted as the new emerging market.

• Lambert’s Bay noted a 5% increase in their top international markets – the UK and Netherlands.

• Velddrif and Porterville both noted an increase, reporting a visible increase at their local shops, parking areas and camping sites.

Altogether, 30 out of 36 local tourism offices interviewed by Wesgro noted increases in visitors this December.

“Key goals of Project Khulisa, our economic growth strategy, include securing more direct flights and spreading the returns of tourism across our region to create growth and jobs in rural areas. These results prove that we are having a positive impact.

"We have also received feedback from our towns that visitors have responded positively to our water savings message, with many bringing water from their home towns."

Winde concluded, "I’m thrilled, too, that Knysna is having a good season, despite the fires of June this year. The majority of our tourism offices have noted that bookings are continuing to come in, indicating that tourism season is still in full swing.” 

Full statistics for attractions in Cape Town are still to be finalised and will be released once verified. 

Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy noted, “It is also pleasing to see that water consumption in the city remained the same despite increased numbers of tourists in December.”

Note: the following press release is based on feedback received from 36 local tourism offices interviewed by Wesgro to provide an initial overview of the performance of the December "peak season". 

The season is still in full swing, and statistics will be released when it is concluded, Wesgro promised.

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