Cape Town Tourism (CTT) deals with thousands of queries each year through its network of well-positioned Visitor Information Centres (VICs) and its Contact Centre.

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We wish all of our members a happy and prosperous new year, one far better than the challenging times faced by the tourism industry during the past two years.

Looking at the 2011-2012 summer season so far, a marked improvement has been seen in traffic at restaurants, shops and attractions for the month of December, and the accommodation sector also reports a positive holiday upswing. This follows a mid-December poll of Cape Town Tourism members, where more than half of the respondents expected a marginally better summer season this year than in 2010-2011. Tourism numbers seem to be improving beyond what was initially anticipated and there is every indication we have seen the start of a positive peak season.

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2011 has been a year of highs and lows. We have basked in the acclaim of accolades such as Table Mountain becoming one of the New7Wonders of Nature and Cape Town the World Design Capital 2014; Tripadvisor readers named us their favourite destination and BA’s passengers rated Cape Town as one of their top five destinations. We were the top destination in Africa at the World Travel Awards, where there were more nods in the right direction for our destination.

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Cape Town Tourism just concluded four fruitful and insightful days at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, one of the leading global events for the travel industry. About 48 000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media arrived at the Exhibition Centre London on November 7 and 10 to network, negotiate and hear about the latest industry opinion and trends.

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It was announced today that Cape Town is the official World Design Capital for 2014, winning the accolade from competing shortlisted candidates Bilbao, Spain, and Dublin, Ireland.

The bidding process for this prestigious title began in 2010 and was undertaken by the Cape Town Partnership as mandated by the City of Cape Town – congratulations to both teams on a bid and theme of “Live Design. Transform Life” that made us incredibly proud.

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Cape Town Tourism’s seventh Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Monday October 17, 2011 and saw the unveiling of a bold marketing campaign for Cape Town.

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The state and prospects of the visitor industry in Cape Town

Cape Town’s visitor industry, like many cities and destinations the world over, faces significant challenges in dealing with subdued demand and declining interest. Cape Town Tourism has seen more than 118 businesses close in the past 24 months. Furthermore, across the sector, the lack of growth experienced since 2007 equates to a lost opportunity for some 18 000 potential new jobs. In this context, there have been many and varied opinions as to why there is depressed demand and what Cape Town must do about it.

Cape Town Tourism has for some time now investigated the situation thoroughly and the answer, in our view, rests on a combination of tried and tested actions and a few bold new interventions. These initiatives are to be placed within a new compelling destination brand that stretches beyond leisure tourism and our city’s natural beauty, and an execution programme that takes Cape Town to the world.

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The results of the second Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s FNB Tourism Business Index (TBI) have shown a decrease in the level of tourism business activity for the first quarter of 2011.

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ITB Berlin, regarded as one of the world’s leading travel trade show, boasted record attendance figures in 2011, with approximately 100 000 trade visitors and more than 60 000 members of the public attending the show between March 9 and 13, 2011. Cape Town Tourism attended, in partnership with Cape Town Routes Unlimited, to showcase Cape Town as a challenger brand and a place of inspiration.

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2010 was a historic year for the city of Cape Town and for Cape Town Tourism. As an organisation, we celebrated numerous successes and we learned valuable lessons. We’ll never forget 2010 and all that it brought, but we’re gearing up for what is sure to be a busy and fun-filled 2011.

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Cape Town Tourism was greatly saddened and dismayed upon hearing of the murder of British tourist Anni Dewani in Gugulethu.

Safety and security concerns remain the biggest stumbling block to tourism growth in South Africa.

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On October 22, 2010, Cape Town Tourism gathered a think tank of some of Cape Town’s brightest minds to discuss which stories we should lead with when selling the city.

We looked at key global trends and brainstormed how we could make Cape Town a place that people wanted to live, work, play, study, visit and invest in. We also discussed how to get our message across in a crowded market place.

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As we pat ourselves on the back for our big and very successful year, the glory days of the World Cup are fading into memory. Certainly, in a world defined by the “five minutes of fame” mentality, Cape Town’s window of opportunity is already closing. Still faced with the burnout of a global economic recession, and now challenged by a new travel mentality that demands greater value and authenticity than ever before, Cape Town simply cannot afford to slip into mediocrity.

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We hosted our sixth successful Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 7 at Cape Town International Convention Centre and I enjoyed seeing so many tourism friends at the event.

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As we celebrate World Tourism Month in September, I would like to remind you to submit your comments on the Western Cape provincial government’s proposal to centralise the way in which Cape Town is marketed as a tourism destination. Thank you to all who have already given your input. We have collated your comments and observations and forwarded them to the member of the executive council (MEC) and the City of Cape Town for consideration.

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I would like to fill you in on the process of consultation that is currently under way with regards to future tourism marketing structures for Cape Town and the Western Cape.

A proposed model for tourism marketing was put forward this week by the MEC for tourism and economic development, Minister Alan Winde. The model is for a single tourism destination marketing structure and brand for Cape Town and the Western Cape…

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We are half way through the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Although Bafana Bafana has bowed out with dignity, South Africa has emerged victorious as hosts of the first African World Cup. Everyone is in agreement that this event has united South Africans like never before and the “gees” is vibrating across our country, spilling out onto streets and reaching the furthest community.

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To say Cape Town Tourism is looking forward to the World Cup is to make the understatement of the decade.

Our city is positively primed for the event and excitement mounts by the day as the countdown to kickoff begins in earnest.

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It’s good to be back at work after four months away on maternity leave.

With less than three months to go to the World Cup, the debate on whether the event will be worth all the investments made is heating up. In general, there seems to be a growing sense of optimism among South Africans – all the stadiums have been completed well in time, the new road infrastructure is taking shape and soon we will be able to brag with a newly upgraded airport and railway station. One thing for sure, with her facelift almost complete, Cape Town after the World Cup will be a much-improved place as far as liveability is concerned.

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By now I am sure you are well into the swing of the New Year and I trust that you are ready for a great 2010.

I am amazed at how quickly time is flying! I am settling into motherhood and enjoying the time with my precious princess. Thank you again for all the well wishes, gifts and messages, we appreciate it so much.

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Dear tourism family and friends

I am sure that the season is hotting up and that the excitement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final Draw can be felt across the Mother City. With the eyes of the world upon us, this is an important moment for Cape Town to shine – and I know we will.

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I am sure that by now you are well into the start of season and I trust business is looking promising for the months ahead.

Some of you might know that I am expecting a baby girl, due at the end of November. I will be on maternity leave from November 13, returning to work on April 1, 2010. Cape Town Tourism will be in capable hands in my absence. Belinda van Niekerk, Executive Manager: Finance and Corporate Services, will be Acting CEO, supported by Lianne Burton, Executive Manager: Marketing.

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Welcome to our new industry website. As the launch of this site coincides with our Annual General Meeting, the first of my monthly entries takes a look back at the past year.

Whilst issues around climate dominated the agenda in 2008, 2009 has been overshadowed by debate on the impact of the economic crisis on the travel and tourism industry. Whatever the reason – climate or economy – one thing is evident: the tourism and travel world is changing fundamentally, for good.

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