After almost two years of sluggish sales due to the pandemic, the resilient Garden Route tourism industry has been revitalised by a boom in domestic tourism over the festive season.
Tour operators, businesses and locals from Plettenberg Bay to George all noted a major increase in domestic travellers, and with it a much-needed boost to the region’s hospitality sector.
Knysna tourism CEO Colleen Durant said the town had resembled its pre-pandemic state during December, with 100% occupancy across its various accommodation facilities.
“Our restaurants were busy. We are still busy with a full survey to get feedback as peak season just ended last weekend,” Durant said.
She said while Covid-19 had affected the number of international visitors to the area, domestic travel had improved.
“Previously we did not do a lot of targeted marketing on the domestic market because there has not been a need as we have always had a big international market.
” I think there has been a shift in focus and to ensure it lasts we will continue to give it attention from a promotions perspective,” she said.
George municipality said it was still experiencing a bumper festive season.
Municipal spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose said the tourism division had recorded 630 inquiries through its offices in George and Wilderness.
“About 41% of inquiries were related to ‘things to do’ and tourism information, 35% were accommodation-related and 24% were general inquiries.
“Occupation figures in quarter four of 2021 were on a steep upward trend already and the preliminary December feedback is that the private sector has experienced a moderately good festive season.”
She said forward bookings were also showing that accommodation establishments would enjoy a longer season than 2020.
Plett Tourism CEO Patty Butterworth said the municipality was still busy with its survey, but occupancy of accommodation had been close to 100% at times.
“Preseason we were sitting at 65% occupancy but by the 15th we were at 99% occupancy until January 3 with very few cancellations. Rooms or home rentals that had cancellations were quickly filled.”
Butterworth said the majority of retail, which included groceries, alcohol and high-end luxury items, was up or on par with 2019’s pre-Covid numbers.
“Most restaurants have reported the same and some even said it was the busiest season in five or more years,” she said.
“Plett was predominantly visited by South Africans, the majority from Gauteng.
“We have noticed a growth from the Eastern Cape and Cape Town. An influx of day visitors from Knysna, George, Mossel Bay, St Francis and Jeffreys Bay was also reported.”
She said foreign visitors had descended from non-traditional markets including the Ukraine and Russia, and they had seen an increase from the US.
Western Cape premier Alan Winde said: “It’s good to see our hospitality coming back fairly nicely in this season.
“It’s always been about getting the balance right [ between] managing the fourth wave and tourism.
“Last year at this time we were at a different place, we were under pressure. Now we have been able to cope better, to the advantage of the economy.”
Winde said he was looking forward to having more international visitors to boost the local economy.
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