According to the latest airport statistics, passengers at Cape Town International Airport have increased significantly since the outbreak began. In the year In 2022, the recovery rate of domestic terminal passengers reached 75%.
Source: Submitted
Wesgro Chief Destination Marketing Officer Monica Joel is encouraged by the new growth as international and domestic visitors return to the Cape. “The recent increase in tourism arrivals bodes well for South Africa’s wine tourism sector,” said Wesgro, who is in charge of the Best Wine Tourism and Ambassador Awards.
Additionally, the latest arrivals data released by Statistics South Africa for April 2022 confirms a strong recovery to lead the Western Cape source markets. In particular, visitors from the United Kingdom who arrived at Cape Town International Airport found it to be 98 percent as good as before the outbreak.
Creating market differentiation
Additionally, reports from tourism providers indicate an increase in overseas bookings for winter 2022/3. “This is good news after several setbacks in the wine tourism industry over the past two years and beyond.”
But despite the closure and alcohol ban ending, South Africans are still being affected by the rising cost of living, causing domestic tourists to reassess any travel plans.
“To stay relevant, with offers that entice the most frequent travelers, it’s important for industry players to keep a close eye on their competitive environment. One simple, effective step involves benchmarking. Assessing yourself against the best provides valuable context. Testing claims of uniqueness or uniqueness.”
She is urging wine tourism providers to enter any of the ten categories (seven in the Best of Wine Tourism Awards and three in the Ambassador Program) in the upcoming Best of Wine Tourism and Ambassador Awards. There are no limits to the number of categories contestants can enter. Entry fee is R575 including VAT.
All entries can be submitted online at https://www.bestofwinetourism.co.za/categories/ after close of business on Friday, August 5.
The seven categories in the Best of Wine Tourism Awards, the International Great Wine Capitals Awards of Excellence, are Accommodation, Restaurants, Architecture and Landscape, Art and Culture, Wine Tourism Services, Innovative Wine Tourism Experience and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practice. The top five entries in each category are judged by judges from local chapters with input from the international body.
Ambassador Awards include Authentic South African Experience, Wine Tourism Diversity and WWF Conservation Pioneer. The latter, as the name suggests, is sponsored by WWF South Africa.
Winners will be honored at an event in October.
For more information, visit www.bestofwinetourism.co.za.
