Cape Town beckons
South Africa's oldest and most glamorous city is continuing to draw British travellers, and the football World Cup in 2010 is set to boost tourism further.
Nearly half a million UK residents visited South Africa in 2007, according to South African Tourism.
Perched on the Western Cape, the 'Mother City' blends stunning scenery from mountain to ocean, temperate climate, adrenaline sports, exotic wildlife, vibrant cosmopolitan city life and a rich culture.
The tourist trail includes Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island - where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Cape Town Wine Routes and Stellenbosch winelands.
For adventure junkies there's climbing, mountain biking, diving, sea kayaking and surfing. Out of the city, swanky game lodges are opening across the region.
Speaking at a lecture in March 2008, Moeketsi Mosola, South African Tourism CEO, said, “Tourism is one of the biggest business success stories of the last decade.
The industry has become a vital part of the national economy. But there remains much work to be done.”
Fears of crime still deter some UK holiday makers. Security and safety are priorities for South African Tourism. The centre of Cape Town is slowly emerging as a safe, cultured city. Further afield, Soweto and Durban are developing and attracting visitors whilst areas of Johannesburg remain dangerous for tourists.
According to Moeketsi Masola, tourism has provided South Africa with more than a million jobs in the 15 years since democracy and created tens of thousands of new businesses. Direct foreign spend from tourism has increased by 20 per cent a year in the last ten years. Nine million tourists from around the world visited South Africa in 2007.
Cape Town has long been popular with the rich and famous. Prince Harry is currently in South Africa with his girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
The World Cup will be held between 11 June and 11 July 2010. British Airways, KLM and South African Airways all fly to Cape Town from a range of UK departure airports.
Written by: Maxine Clarke
Start your holiday in style and book an airport hotel at an unbeatable price with Holiday Extras
Related News Articles
New flights as passengers increase | easyJet extra flights from the UK - 08/01/2009
Low cost airline easyJet is launching nine new flights from the UK as it announces passenger numbers increased in December.New US entry rules in place | Register for ESTA online - 08/01/2009
From January 12 2009, millions of visitors travelling to the United States need to provide personal details online before departure.US goes online for visa waiver travellers | Passengers must apply in advance - 08/01/2009
Visitors flying into the United States will need to provide personal details in advance and online from next January, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced earlier this week.
