V&A says it’s payback time after years of Covid gloom
The tourists are coming. And the boats too – lots of them.
That’s the happy news from tourism stakeholders who report promising signs of a bumper festive season for both the tourism and maritime sectors. This is welcome news after a nightmarish past two tourism seasons in the shadow of the Coronavirus pandemic.
A resurgent appetite for international travel should be felt right across the hospitality industry, from coast to coast, with Cape Town in particular set to benefit from returning air and sea traffic. An estimated 195 000 visitors will arrive on at least 25 cruise ships currently expected during the upcoming cruise season (between October and March), while close to 100 cruising yachts are on their way according to OSASA.
“People the world over have been muzzled for the best part of two years but borders have reopened, airlift is returning, and people are raring to travel,” said V&A chief executive David Green in a statement released ahead of tourism season. “We have experienced a rapid recovery since January 2022, with international tourism increasing every month.
There’s also good news from OSASA which reports a return of cruising yachts, with
“There’s a huge upturn,” said OSASA’s Jennifer Crickmore-Thompson, “In Richard’s Bay have seen 4-5 yachts a day over last 3 days, with many more coming!”
Earlier this year OSASA estimated the 2022/23 cruising season could see upwards of 150 visiting yachts as skippers spread their sails following years of Covid frustration. Last year’s 2021/22 season was already considerably better than the previous year, with 120 visiting yachts compared with just 80 the previous year.