In Travel + Leisureˇ¦s 2018 readerˇ¦s poll, Cape Town has been named number
one favourite city in Africa and the Middle East for the 17th year.
The global travel publication cited a favourable exchange rate, the opening
of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, its world-class hotels and
the fact that itˇ¦s a regional hub for business and leisure travel among the
reasons for the cityˇ¦s ongoing success.
Cape Townˇ¦s tourism offering is well known, but the achievement is
considerable given the regionˇ¦s challenges with a water shortage during the
period.
ˇ§Weˇ¦ve maintained an 'open for business' approach throughout our efforts in
driving sustainable tourism, and this accolade reveals that this strategy
has worked.
"We remain an unparalleled destination on the continent, and one whose
multiple initiatives in saving water has ensured that we can continue to
attract visitors. Weˇ¦re honoured that so many travellers remain confident in
our ability to offer fantastic attractions and experiences,ˇ¨ said Cape Town
Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy.
According to South African Tourismˇ¦s CEO, Sisa Ntshona, ˇ§This accolade is
testament to South Africaˇ¦s rich and varied travel offering for travellers
from the continent and the Middle East and an affirmation of our 5-in-5 goal
of attracting five million more tourists by 2021.ˇ¨
ˇ§The water shortages as experienced in Cape Town and other parts of the
country have certainly placed us at the forefront of leading the drive
towards sustainable and responsible tourism in a meaningful way.ˇ§
Through the countryˇ¦s #WaterWiseTourism drive in action, Travel +
Leisure readers have given a stamp of approval that South Africa
remains very much open for tourism, with responsible tourism practices
becoming entrenched as the ˇ§new normalˇ¨.
ˇ§South Africa has become a benchmark for how world-class cities respond to
future climate threats associated with water, it is our responsibility to
share our learnings and encourage others around the world to help adapt to
the new normal," concludes Ntshona.
ˇV Source: www.news24.co.za |