More than 6.8 million passengers through Cape Town International between Jan-Sep

Between January and September of 2023, more than 6.8 million two-way international and domestic passengers passed through our award-winning Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), of which 1.9 million were international two-way passengers, and 4.9 million domestic two-way passengers.

International two-way passengers through CTIA between January and September 2023 increased by 60% compared to the same period in 2022, and domestic two-way passengers increased by 14%, compared to the same period in 2022.

This is according to the monthly tourism report, compiled by the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) trade, investment, and tourism promotion agency, Wesgro.

“We continue to see the impressive growth of tourists coming to the Western Cape. This is extremely exciting and a trend that we anticipate will not only continue but will far exceed all previous summer seasons” said Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger.

“We are also working hard with all stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector, as well as with our partners responsible for safety and security to address key concerns regarding the safety of hikers in and around the Table Mountain National Park and Lions head” continued Minister Wenger.

Other insights from the monthly tourism report of September include:

• Two-way passengers through George Airport reached 576 347 between January and September 2023, representing a 3% year-on-year increase compared to January and September 2022;
• Between January and September 2023, Cape Town recorded a total of 621 238 tourist arrivals via air, of which 89% originated from overseas markets and 11% from the African continent;
• Total tourist arrivals as well as overseas tourist arrivals via air remained at full recovery in September 2023 year-to-date compared to January and September 2019;
• The UK continues to lead as the top source market to Cape Town (via air) between January and September 2023, with the USA a very close second, followed by Germany, Netherlands and France in the top 5 positions;
• The European market remains the largest contributor to tourist arrivals into Cape Town, with 6 out of the top 10 source markets originating from the continent;
• The cumulative total of tourist arrivals between January and September 2023 reflected full recovery from 8 out of the top 10 source markets to Cape Town (via air), against the same period in 2019 (Jan - Sep). These markets included UK (105%), USA (142%), Germany (104%), Netherlands (112%), Italy (109%), India (104%), Canada (104%) and Zimbabwe (178%);
• Footfall to 40 participating attractions across the six regions of the Western Cape recorded a total of 571,657 visitors in September 2023, a 23% year-on-year growth in the number of visitors when compared to September 2022; and
• The top 5 highest year-on-year growth rates in September 2023 were recorded for:
  • Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area (385%)
  • Robben Island (270%)
  • Swartberg Nature Reserve (178%)
  • Keurbooms River Nature Reserve (91%)
  • Wilderness National Park (72%)

“We continue to prepare to rollout the red carpet for visitors, both international and domestic in the coming months. We are determined to do all we can to enable to continued expansion of this significant sector so that it can boost economic growth and create so many more jobs for residents of the province” concluded Minister Wenger.