Finance and Economic Opportunities

1.  

(a) According to data published by the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) received 100,959 and 131,599 international arrivals in November and December 2022 respectively. This was 87% and 98% of arrivals when compared to the same period in 2019. In December 2021 there were 38,792 arrivals and in November 2021, 47,413 arrivals. This means that December 2022 saw a 339% increase on 2021 arrivals and November 2022 an increase of 213% on 2021 arrivals. Fig.1 below provides a summary of arrivals, highlighting the positive recovery in international arrivals.

                                                    Fig 1. International arrivals at CTIA (Source: ACSA)

 

 

2. In terms of domestic arrivals, CTIA received 253,477 and 294,749 domestic arrivals in November and December 2022 respectively. The figures represent a 74% and 72% recovery rate on 2019 figures for November and December respectively and a 95% and 109% recovery on 2021 figures. Recovery in domestic arrivals has been  slower than recovery in international arrivals due to factors including supply constraints and the resulting price pressures. Fig. 2 provides a summary of domestic arrivals at CTIA between 2018 and 2022.

 

                                                         Fig 2. Domestic arrivals at CTIA (Source: ACSA)

 

2.  

 

1. International recovery continues to be driven by positive demand from the Western Cape’s traditional European and North American markets on the back of the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions. In addition, Wesgro and its partners, through Cape Town Air Access (CTAA), have worked hard to re-establish air links and expand air connectivity to new destinations. This work continues to yield results. For example, in the current financial year to date, CTAA has secured four new air routes and three new airlines to the Western Cape. In the case of domestic recovery, recovery is dampened by supply constraints in the South African domestic market. We are likely to see noticeable improvements as airlines add more capacity to routes.

2. To assist first-time travellers, ground staff of ACSA and Cape Town Tourism are on hand to assist with queries. Support provided by the Western Cape Government to ACSA includes the deployment of 42 learners (28 learners have already been placed with a further 14 learners to be deployed in February) funded by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, who have been placed at CTIA to assist with general tasks in and around the airport. Furthermore, DEDAT’s  Artisan Development Programme is also working with ACSA to place apprenticeship candidates at CTIA to provide work experience to these beneficiaries. DEDAT also works closely with the National Department of Tourism to coordinate the deployment of tourism safety monitors at the airport. In addition, Cape Town Air Access works closely with ACSA to support airlines through marketing activations and other events. DEDAT also continues to monitor the roll out of the electronic gates (e-gates) for South African passport holders at CTIA. These gates were first piloted in 2019 but have experienced some operational challenges in recent months. DEDAT has and will continue to actively engage the Department of Home Affairs on these concerns and will continue to follow-up when required.    

 

3. Data on repeat visitation is not yet available for 2022 as this is reported on by South African Tourism. In 2021, 41.5% of visitors to the Western Cape were first-time visitors, 10.8% had visited between 2 and 3 times, 6% had visited more than 10 times and 5.8% have visited between 6 and 9 times (Wesgro, 2022).