Cape Town, one of Africa’s most iconic destinations, blends natural beauty, world-class wine regions, and deep cultural heritage. From Table Mountain to Cape Winelands and Cape Point, the city attracts millions of travelers every year.
In 2023, Cape Town welcomed approximately 3.2 million international visitors — marking one of the strongest tourism recoveries in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
Key stats: Cape Town Tourism
- In the first quarter of 2024, Cape Town welcomed 336,000+ air-arrivals, marking a strong recovery (+16 % year-on-year).
- From January to April 2024, over 405,000 tourists arrived by air to the city — already surpassing 2019 levels for the same period.
- In 2024 the Cape Town International Airport handled 10.4 million passengers, including about 3 million international visitors, up ~10% on the previous year.
- Domestic visitors to the city spent on average 3.1 days, while international visitors stayed around 3.0 days — showing many short-stay trips.
- Tourism in Cape Town generated over R27 billion in gross value and supported 91,000+ jobs in 2023 — a major economic pillar.
- International arrivals to the Western Cape grew by 6.8% in 2024, highlighting continual growth in the region.
- The city and region now account for 69% of all room-nights in South Africa (2019: 60%) — commanding a dominant share of national tourism.
- In Q4 of 2023, Cape Town’s five leading attractions recorded 1.15 million+ visits, underscoring their draw for tourists.
- December 2023 saw Cape Town International Airport handle ~518,000 arrivals (+19% vs 2022) and 354,000 domestic visitors (+20% vs prior year).
- Early 2023 data show Cape Town achieved ~89,900 overseas tourist arrivals in the first quarter, with 91% coming from abroad — a clear sign of its global appeal.
How Many Tourists Visit Cape Town Each Year?
Cape Town welcomed around 3.2 million international visitors in 2023 and over 2.8 million domestic leisure travelers, totaling ~6 million visitors.
| Year | Total Visitors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 (pre-pandemic) | ~5.5M | Record year |
| 2020–2021 | ↓ significant drop | Travel restrictions |
| 2022 | ~4.5M | Strong rebound begins |
| 2023 | ~6.0M | Full recovery trend |
| 2024 (projected) | 6.2–6.5M | Continued growth |
How Many Tourists Visit Cape Town Each Day?
Cape Town receives ~16,500 visitors per day on average.
During December–January holiday season, daily visitors can exceed 35,000 per day.
How Much Money Does Tourism Generate in Cape Town?
Tourism is one of the largest economic drivers in Cape Town.
- Tourism revenue (2023): ~R30 billion (~$1.6B USD)
- Jobs supported: ~150,000 direct + indirect
- Travel and events make up ~7% of Western Cape’s GDP
Tourism is especially boosted by:
- Cruise arrivals
- Wine tourism
- International business travel
- International events (e.g., Cape Town Cycle Tour, Rugby 7s)
Which Countries Visit Cape Town the Most?
Most international visitors come from Europe and the UK, often escaping winter seasons.
| Country | Estimated Share of Visitors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | ~19% | Historically largest foreign market |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ~13% | Strong winter season travel |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ~7% | Wine & culture tourism |
| 🇺🇸 United States | ~9% | Safari + luxury travel segment |
| 🇫🇷 France | ~6% | Increasing year over year |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | ~5% | High spend per visitor |
| 🇨🇳 China | ~3–4% | Gradual return post-2022 |
| 🇮🇳 India | ~3% | Growing VFR + weddings segment |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | ~2% | Long-stay tourism |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ~2% | High repeat visitation |
What Are the Most Visited Attractions in Cape Town?
| Attraction | Annual Visitors (est.) | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Table Mountain Aerial Cableway | ~1.2M | One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature |
| V&A Waterfront | ~24M | Most visited attraction in Africa |
| Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | ~1.1M | UNESCO Biosphere Reserve |
| Robben Island Museum | ~350K | World heritage + Mandela history |
| Cape Point Nature Reserve | ~1M | Iconic cliffs & wildlife |
| Boulders Beach (Penguin Colony) | ~950K | One of the only accessible penguin colonies |
| Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch / Franschhoek) | ~1.4M | Wine, dining, landscapes |
| Bo-Kaap District | ~800K | Culture + photography hotspot |
| Two Oceans Aquarium | ~750K | Education + family tourism |
| Muizenberg Beach | ~400K | Surf culture hub |
Fun Fact:
The V&A Waterfront is more visited annually than the Colosseum, Sagrada Família, and Louvre individually.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Cape Town?
| Season | Trend | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Dec–Feb) | Peak | Beaches, nightlife, wine estates—highest prices |
| Autumn (Mar–May) | High | Perfect weather, fewer crowds |
| Winter (Jun–Aug) | Low | Whale watching + food culture season |
| Spring (Sep–Nov) | High | Flowers, hiking, outdoor festivals |
Which Neighborhoods Do Tourists Stay In?
- V&A Waterfront – safest, upscale, ocean views
- City Bowl / Gardens – walkable, trendy restaurants
- Sea Point & Green Point – coastal promenades + cafés
- Camps Bay & Clifton – luxury beachfront + sunsets
- Stellenbosch & Franschhoek – wine estates & boutique hotels
How Do Most Visitors Travel to Cape Town?
| Mode | Share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air travel | ~85% | Cape Town International Airport handles ~9M passengers annually |
| Cruise ships | Growing | Now >120 cruise calls yearly |
| Domestic road travel | Steady | Popular across South Africa |
FAQ – Cape Town Tourism
Is Cape Town a popular tourist destination?
Yes — it’s the #1 most visited city in South Africa and one of the most visited cities in Africa.
Is Cape Town safe for tourists?
Tourist zones are generally safe with awareness; avoid isolated areas at night.
What is Cape Town best known for?
Table Mountain, wine estates, coastal landscapes, and rich cultural history.
When is the cheapest time to visit Cape Town?
June–August (winter) has the lowest hotel and flight prices.
Is Cape Town expensive?
Cape Town is cheaper than most major Western destinations, especially for dining and hotels.
Sources
- Wesgro (Cape Town & Western Cape) — Cape Town Tourism Visitor Trends: January – December 2024 (mobile location & visitation insights)
- Wesgro Research — Western Cape Tourism Performance – August 2024 (airport arrivals & source markets)
- Wesgro Research — Western Cape Tourism Regional Visitor Trends (Jan–Dec 2023) – TMNP & Cableway visitation
- SANParks — Table Mountain National Park Unveils Tourism Stats & Outlook (2024 update)
- Table Mountain Aerial Cableway — TMACC Annual Report 2024 (Cableway visitor & operations data)
- V&A Waterfront (Official) — Tourism Overview – V&A Waterfront (≈24 million visitors annually)
- PwC — V&A Waterfront Digital Insights (visitor volumes & asset mix)
- Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) — International Tourism: December 2024 (ports of entry; Cape Town shares)
- Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) — Tourism 2024 Report (air/sea arrivals; Cape Town International & harbour)
- Reuters — Southern Sun profit boosted by Western Cape tourism & events (sector performance context)
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