International air passenger volumes to Cape Town for May and the first week of June saw a recovery rate of 18% compared with the same period in 2019. This was the highest rate achieved this year, according to Cape Town Air Access.

“On top of that, more countries, such as the US, are relaxing international travel restrictions while Singapore Airlines will resume flights to Cape Town International Airport from July 1,” said City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities, James Vos, who noted that “things were looking up for tourism in Cape Town”.

“A few months ago I put together the City’s Tourism Task Team to help get the industry through these tough times and also focus on the future prospects. I am pleased to say that we are implementing campaigns to stimulate supply and demand for domestic and international markets, including continued funding of the Air Access Initiative to boost flights to Cape Town,” he added.

Vos said on the on the domestic front news was less optimistic, as the first week of June saw a material contraction in the recovery rate, likely due to the third wave of COVID-19 infections and the additional lockdown restrictions.

“In light of this, I once again urge national government to ramp up the roll-out of the vaccine and to make sure that all measures are in place for the next phase of the vaccination plan when over-40s will be eligible for their shots from the beginning of July,” he said.