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1 week ago | 
tourismupdate.com | Bianca Capazorio
Africa’s hospitality sector is experiencing a surge of investment and expansion with several major hotel groups announcing landmark deals and ambitious growth plans at the Future Hospitality Summit in Cape Town this week. Among them, four leading players unveiled agreements that signal growing confidence in the continent’s tourism sector, including what is being described as the region’s largest hotel portfolio management deal.
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2 weeks ago | 
tourismupdate.com | Bianca Capazorio
South Africa’s international tourism numbers are rising but it still lags behind global competitors in daily spend by international visitors. Speaking at the recent Hotel & Hospitality Expo Africa in Cape Town, tourism leaders highlighted a gap between visitor numbers and per-capita spend. While overall tourism revenue is growing, largely due to higher room rates and more arrivals, industry stakeholders say stronger focus on premium offerings and pricing strategy is needed.
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2 weeks ago | 
tourismupdate.com | Bianca Capazorio
The City of Cape Town has set ambitious new tourism targets as part of its Tourism Strategy 2029 with a focus on increasing international arrivals, creating jobs and strengthening competitiveness.
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2 weeks ago | 
tourismupdate.com | Bianca Capazorio
With an average age of 19, Africa’s aircraft fleets are the oldest in the world – and account for just 2% of new aircraft currently on order. By comparison, Asia has the youngest fleet at an average of 12 years, and accounts for 49% of all new aircraft on order. Speaking during an OAG webinar on aircraft fleet and finances, Deidre Fulton, Partner at Midas Aviation, said, globally, the average age of aircraft is 14 years.
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3 weeks ago | 
travelnews.co.za | Bianca Capazorio
With an average age of 19, Africa’s aircraft fleets are the oldest in the world – and account for just 2% of new aircraft currently on order. By comparison, Asia has the youngest fleet at an average of 12 years, and accounts for 49% of all new aircraft on order. Speaking during an OAG webinar on aircraft fleet and finances, Deidre Fulton, Partner at Midas Aviation, said, globally, the average age of aircraft is 14 years.
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1 month ago | 
tourismupdate.com | Bianca Capazorio
Five years after construction began on 71 community tourism infrastructure projects, only 46 have been completed – prompting concern in Parliament about ongoing delays and delivery issues. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has announced a final extension of the department’s implementation agreement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), now set to run until 2027.
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1 month ago | 
tourismupdate.com | Bianca Capazorio
Cape Town’s increasing tourist numbers are fuelling a wave of new hotel developments and refurbishments, reflecting more bullish attitudes last seen almost a decade ago. In 2025, several new hotels have opened or are set to open their doors in Cape Town.
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2 months ago | 
travelnews.co.za | Bianca Capazorio
Club Med’s first property in Southern Africa – set to open near Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), in 2026 – is aiming to bring locals and international visitors to the province with a concept that combines beach and bush. Speaking during last week’s WTM Africa event, Club Med representatives outlined how the R2 billion property, financed entirely by South African investors, is poised to grow tourism and economic activity in KZN.
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2 months ago | 
tourismupdate.co.za | Cape Town |Bianca Capazorio |David Frost
With an unbroken 24-month streak of increasing arrivals at Cape Town International Airport up to December, reports of a bumper February and major events well into April, Cape Town appears to be achieving its goal of extending its peak season. Events and conferences are driving the shift but increased connectivity, new markets and emerging leisure trends are cementing Cape Town’s reputation as a year-round destination.
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Jan 31, 2025 | 
tourismupdate.co.za | Bianca Capazorio |Gheeta Payle |Neethling du Toit |Sandra Kneubuhler
Formally gazetted in October 2024, South Africa’s digital nomad visa has been celebrated across the tourism industry for its impact on the local economy. But Cape Town locals are becoming increasingly vocal about visitors driving up prices and competition for housing in the city. It’s unclear how many, if any, official remote working visas have been granted in South Africa since their introduction.
