Optimism for the Season Ahead
CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Enver Duminy says; ?We are optimistic about the tourism outlook for this summer season with positive growth in forward bookings being felt by many of our members. We are hoping that the strong exchange rate, in favour of traditional source markets, and Cape Town?s recent spate of international accolades will be additional contributors to a good season for tourism. Of course, global economic and political instability, and a continued need to tighten the belt, may still put a damper on our peak season so we must remain cautious in our optimism.?
Spring has sprung in Cape Town (September-November 2013)
The most recent Accommodation Performance and Forecast Report by Horwath HTL on behalf of Cape Town Tourism polled participating accommodation members on their business? performance in September 2013 and their forecasts for October and November.
Showing growth, the aggregate occupancy rate in September 2013 was 59 percent, compared with an aggregate occupancy rate of 57 percent in September last year, occupancy was up 2%, the average room rate climbed by almost 3% and Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) had increased by 6%.
Sixty percent of all room nights sold in September were sold to domestic guests with a further 6% sold to regional visitors from the continent and the remaining 34% to international guests.
October?s room night demand was anticipated to amount to approximately 64%, and the outlook for November was encouraging at 72%.
Looking Ahead (December 2013 to February 2014)
In a phone-around survey, Cape Town Tourism asked participating member establishments specifically about their forecasted occupancy for the peak period compared with the same time last year. The selection of possible answers were; ?much better, better, same,?worse or much worse?.
The sample included tourism attractions, tour operators, car-hire companies and accommodation establishments including hotels, guest houses, B&B?s, back-packers and self-catering establishments. Overall 14% expected a much better season, 54% felt a better season ahead, 24% felt it would be the same, whilst 4% thought it might be worse and 4% were still unsure.
Hotels were the most optimistic with all hotels saying that they expected a better season ahead.
When asked about whether there were increased accommodation bookings from emerging markets like Brazil, India, China and Russia (BRIC), 36% had seen an increase and some mentioned China in particular.
Key tourism attractions and tour operator members of Cape Town Tourism also reported moderate growth rates for September 2013 and forecast a better season for Summer (December 2013 ? February 2014) compared with the same period last year.
Click here to read more.