British to invade the Cape

16 November 2012 - 02:14 By PHILANI NOMBEMBE
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Cape Town. File photo
Cape Town. File photo
Image: Supplied

Cape Town is bracing itself for an influx of tourists.

The city has recently been ranked best travel destination in the world by 17000 readers of the UK's The Daily Telegraph - ahead of Vancouver and New York.

South Africa was ranked third-best country after New Zealand and the Maldives.

The poll earlier this year was part of the 2012 Telegraph Travel Awards.

Mariette du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, said yesterday that there had already been an increase in tourist arrivals.

"Our latest survey indicates a 74% occupancy rate for November 2012 and a 73% occupancy rate for December, marginal increases when compared to the corresponding periods in 2011," said Du Toit-Helmbold.

"Over the past two years, and particularly in 2012, we have seen the trend of bookings with shorter lead times grow tremendously, so we do expect these occupancy levels to increase across the board as summer draws closer. Over the school holiday period, Cape Town has a big influx of tourists from other parts of the country."

Du Toit-Helmbold said most of the tourists visiting Cape Town came from the UK, the US, Germany and The Netherlands. There is also growing interest in travelling to this country in India, South America and the Middle East.

Cape Town was awarded the Top City in Africa title, and was judged the No2 city in the world at the 2012 Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards.

It was named top city in Africa and the Middle East at the Travel & Leisure World Awards this year.

"Cape Town is a diverse and cosmopolitan city.

"It offers natural beauty and activities less than 10 minutes from the city centre, as well as leisure activities and great food in a friendly setting. There are world-class leisure and business facilities across the city and in the Winelands, the Overberg and on the Garden Route," said Du Toit-Helmbold.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now