Winter tourism figures reveal that Cape Town is becoming a popular year-round destination. Although visitor numbers were somewhat down for May, the overall average is growing. 
According to data from Cape Town Tourism’s monthly survey, the city has continued to attract domestic, regional and international visitors during the winter season, April to August 2014. Year-to-date numbers reveal that regional (Africa) visitor arrivals are up by 7,1%, and international arrivals  by 6,6% for the eight-month period.
Total arrivals at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) for April 2014 increased by 8,5%. The airport reported its highest number of visitors for April at 366 205, while August saw 334 274 visitors. May 2014 was the only month in which total arrivals decreased by 2,9% year-on-year, due to a 3,94% drop in domestic arrivals 
In August, domestic arrivals reflected a year-on-year growth of 2,51% and international arrivals, a 14,11% growth.
The monthly Accommodation Performance Review and Forecast Reports issued by Horwath HTL showed that the highest occupancy level achieved was in April at 67,9%. May was the only month with a marginal decrease in terms of Revenue Per Available Room (RevPar), with a 0, 5% RevPar drop year-on-year. The highest increase in RevPar was in August 2014, at 24,7%,
According to STR Global’s South Africa Hotel Review Report, Cape Town’s average occupancy rate is up 7,5% and the average room rate is up 11,5% year to date’. The best performing accommodation types over the winter season, in terms of occupancy figures, were backpackers and self-catering establishments. 
Over the five-month period, domestic visitors made up 49% of the accommodation sector’s patrons on average; visitors from Africa, 8%, staying in formal accommodation; and international visitors made up the remaining 43%.
Cape Town Tourism, in its market selection for 2014 to 2017, identified South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Nigeria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates as key tactical markets to address the issue of seasonality. 
The top-five tourist attractions in Cape Town – Cape Point, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Robben Island, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and the V&A Waterfront – all reported positive performance, with an increase in visitor numbers during the winter season.
To view the full report, click here.