Hospitality stakeholders report an exceptional 2025/26 tourism season

Visitor data and feedback from the Cape Chamber’s tourism and hospitality stakeholders indicate a landmark 2025/26 summer season, though it also underscores several structural shifts and operational challenges.

The past summer set a new visitor benchmark for the province, according to Wesgro data which showed 2025 was the strongest year on record, with international two-way passengers through Cape Town International Airport surpassing 3.29 million. 

This represented a net increase of over 687,000 passengers from the 2019 pre-pandemic baseline. Lee-Anne Singer, Chairperson of FEDHASA Cape, noted that every month in 2025—excluding the winter trough—outperformed previous years, with the December peak intensifying year-on-year.

Lesego Majatladi, Vice Chairperson of the Cape Chamber’s Tourism and Hospitality Portfolio Committee, said the 2025/26 peak season delivered a strong showing, reinforcing Cape Town’s position as South Africa’s leading tourist destination. Occupancy levels across much of the hospitality sector remained robust, supported by a diverse mix of international and domestic travellers.

There was also an increase in visitors arriving by sea. More than 230 cruising yachts have arrived so far over the summer season, according to the Ocean Sailing Association of Southern Africa (OSASA). In addition, over 70 cruise ship calls are scheduled , with cruise visitor numbers expected to exceed last year’s total of 127 000 passengers (a 16% increase on the previous year).  

Despite record arrival figures, both Majatladi and FEDHASA observed that growth has not been uniform across all segments. FEDHASA member feedback suggests some formal accommodation providers have not experienced growth in line with the sharp rise in arrivals. This indicates a market shift, with a higher volume of visitors opting to stay with friends and family (VFF) or in short-term rentals (STR).

Majatladi further highlighted an uneven distribution of benefits, noting that while traditional tourism nodes performed exceptionally well, smaller operators and secondary areas did not always experience a similar uplift.

Singer highlighted tourism’s role as a “vital economic driver, supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the province.”  

“As the region continues to benefit from increasing international interest, prioritising a balanced approach that supports all segments of the accommodation sector remains essential for sustaining growth, spreading economic benefits, and ensuring tourism continues to deliver on its promise as a source of employment and opportunity,” Singer said.