Gearing up to make Cape Town a ‘dream’ destination

Cape Town - Cape Town residents have been encouraged, during Tourism Month, to name one thing they or a loved one would love to experience.

Whether it’s a stay at a five-star hotel, a cooking class or paragliding over the mountains, the City’s “Freedom to Wish” campaign aims to give back to locals.

“To thank locals for their continued support, the City and Cape Town Tourism are giving locals the ‘Freedom to Wish’ for the experience of their dreams. We are inviting everyone who lives in Cape Town to nominate themselves or a loved one to tell us the one thing you would love to experience in this city. We want to help make as many wishes as possible come true.’’ said Economic Growth Mayco member James Vos.

Tourism Month and the holiday season are expected to be busy in the metro, Vos said.

This as airlines from the US, UK and Europe are scheduled to increase flights into Cape Town International Airport over the coming weeks.

“The new Washington route from United Airlines alone is expected to generate up to R523 million in direct tourism spend for the Western Cape in its first year.

“Turning oceanward, we can also look forward to a total of 104 ship visits with almost 200 000 visitors over the 2022/23 cruise season, unlocking hundreds of millions in estimated passenger spend.

“Our goal over the next four weeks is to show that Cape Town has something for every kind of traveller to enjoy and also to connect with tourism businesses and remind them of all the City’s support systems.”

Cape Town Tourism chief executive Enver Duminy said it was locals who kept the tourism industry alive.

“This Tourism Month, we are aiming to inspire discussions about rethinking tourism for development, including education and job creation, as well as how it impacts the environment and opportunities to grow sustainably through this future-focused theme.

“Cape Town Tourism and the City of Cape Town are working hard to revitalise the tourism sector in time for the festive period and to show that Cape Town is a City with so much to offer. As the pandemic has taught us, the locals sustain businesses, so rethinking tourism should take into account the domestic market as well. International tourists love Cape Town, but it's the locals who keep the City thriving,” said Duminy.

To be part of ‘Freedom to Wish’, which opens on September 12 and runs until September 27, WhatsApp Cape Town Tourism at 072 662 0626 or send your 60-second video or email freedomtowish@capetown.travel with your name, the name of the person whose wish you’d like us to grant and their desired Cape Town experience. For further details on ‘Freedom to Wish’, follow Cape Town Tourism on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Cape Times