Don’t break the bank when out and about in Cape Town this Festive Season

As Cape Town prepares to welcome an influx of international and domestic travellers, the City is urging Capetonians to also get out and about and make the most of the attractions and experiences in their hometown.

‘There is so much to see and do in the Mother City for families, couples, groups, or solo sight-seekers. And the best part is that people needn’t break the bank to experience it all!’ said Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth. 

For visitors and locals who aren’t sure where to start, the City’s official destination marketing organisation, Cape Town Tourism, has compiled a handy 50 things to do for under R50 while the Pocket-friendly Challenge highlights cost-effective activities in communities across Cape Town. There’s also a list of free things to do.

‘You can take a hike on our magnificent mountains or pack your basket for a picnic in one of our many urban parks. If it’s the heat you need to beat, then cool off at one of our 19 tidal pools or eight blue flag beaches, all under the watchful eyes of our City’s lifeguards. And if you’re looking to get that adrenaline pumping, then enjoy some skateboarding, basketball, or football at the V&A Waterfront’s Battery Park. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy many of these experiences and I can tell you they’re all fantastic,’ said Alderman Vos.

He added that forward bookings for the coming months looked positive with Cape Town International Airport poised to welcome an impressive 31,000 passengers daily, with approximately 215 international flights landing each week. Tens of thousands of passengers are also set to disembark from at least 59 cruise ships scheduled to dock at the cruise terminal between November 2023 and May 2024. 

‘These flights and ships carry not just tourists but also potential investors. We’re gearing up for a remarkable tourism season, and I want to emphasise the indispensable role this industry plays in our local economy. With our clever campaigns and city-to-city agreements, we are working around the clock to attract visitors, because this industry contributes to economic activity and creates jobs,’ said Alderman Vos.

With the bumper season ahead, Alderman Vos said the City and its partners have put processes in place to secure all aspects of destination readiness, including safety, transport, and cleanliness.

The City will deploy its largest-ever festive tourism safety operation which includes a special deployment of Tourism Unit personnel to Table Mountain National Park and the CBD. Technology will also be a key feature through the use of drones, dashcams, automatic number plate recognition, and CCTV.

In addition, various safety resources have been produced for visitors by the CTT including:

• TravelWise: This platform includes up-to-date safety information, practical tips and emergency contact numbers.
• The Namola App: a free safety response app that pinpoints your location, and connects you to an emergency operator fast and efficiently.
• The Band-Aid Programme: help for those in distress, including lost travel documents, counselling, emergency accommodation, laying a charge at SAPS, and contacting banks in the event of bank card fraud. The 24/7 Band-Aid contact number is 021 487 6552.
• Visitors can also speak to CTT staff located at Cape Town International Airport, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and City Hall.

‘Let’s work together to make this season truly wonderful for visitors and locals, understanding that our collective efforts have far-reaching economic impacts. As Capetonians, let’s give ourselves the chance to experience our city. We might think we know all the gems Cape Town has to offer, but there is an endless bounty of beautiful and interesting places to see and things to do. After a long year, we deserve to go out and find those gems,’ said Alderman Vos.