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Wesgro Tourism Monthly Newsletter | January 2025
Industry Updates Happy Birthday SA Wine Cape Town and the Western Cape is home to some of the world’s most bountiful vineyards and award-winning wine estates, making this region a true wine paradise. We also without doubt offer the best wine tourism experiences in the world! Did you know South Africa is the only country that can pinpoint the exact origin of its wine industry? Due to a diary entry from 2 February 1659, we are able to trace the beginning of South African wine. We invite the industry to join us in celebrating South Africa’s Wine Birthday month.
How You Can Celebrate: Encourage locals to explore: Share your experiences of Cape Town and the Western Cape's wine regions. Inspire global visitors: Help potential visitors discover the world-class wine tourism experiences available here. Download the Artwork: Download the official artwork and overlay to include in your digital assets and celebrate with us! Click HERE to download.
Click HERE for more information about wine tourism routes and activities throughout the region.
Let’s raise a glass to 366 years of award-winning South African wine! 
Outlook on Business Events 2025 Business events play a key role in driving economic growth and positioning Cape Town and the Western Cape as a global knowledge hub. While the business events landscape continues to evolve, here are 6 key trends identified by the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, powered by Wesgro, that are set to shape the sector in 2025: 1. Sustainability: Green initiatives, circular economy principles, and the integration of local culture are set to dominate event planning. 2. Growth Sectors: In 2025, the Convention Bureau will prioritize attracting business events into key sectors, including the Green Economy, Life Sciences & Health, Logistics, Food & Beverages, Manufacturing, and Services. 3. AI Integration: Generative AI will transform event design and destination marketing with personalised experiences and enhanced efficiency. 4. Customer Experience: Hyper-personalised, immersive events will thrive in the experience-driven economy. 5. Local & Immersive Events: Economic and sustainability considerations will shift focus to regional, flexible venues. 6. Resilience: The industry will prioritise adaptability to navigate global economic and security uncertainties.  Cape Town Air Access celebrates record passenger numbers at Cape Town International Airport in 2024 According to Airports Company South Africa’s statistics, Cape Town International Airport has set a new record by welcoming nearly 3.1 million two-way passengers through its international terminal in 2024, surpassing the 3 million mark for the first time. This achievement reflects a 10% increase compared to 2023 and marks 24 consecutive months of growth in international passenger numbers since January 2023. About 10.4 million two-way passengers passed through the airport’s terminals in 2024, marking a significant 7% increase compared to 2023, with the number of two-way passengers through the domestic terminal increasing by 6%. This achievement is testament to the strength of the partnership of Cape Town Air Access, powered by Wesgro, with ACSA, South African Tourism, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism, as well as private sector partners, V&A Waterfront, Investec and DHL. It also demonstrates the attractiveness of the Western Cape as a global destination for both business and leisure travel. We are committed to expanding connectivity to our destination further – helping bring the world to Cape Town and the Western Cape.  Celebrating Growth at George Airport Cape Town Air Access, powered by Wesgro, celebrates George Airport's strong performance in December 2024. The airport recorded a remarkable 11% growth and nearly 93,000 two-way passengers that month. Over 817,000 two-way passengers passed through the airport in 2024, reflecting a 3% year-on-year increase compared to 2023. As the business hub and gateway to the Garden Route and Klein Karoo, George Airport plays an important role in connecting visitors and business to the region. 
Opportunities TGCSA Free Grading Promotion in February The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) is excited to invite establishments to participate in the Free Grading Promotion, set for February 2025, in preparation for the 2025 G20 Summit. This initiative aims to onboard ungraded properties into the grading system, significantly boosting the number of high-quality, internationally recognized establishments in South Africa. This initiative targets new and lapsed properties, ensuring South Africa's hospitality sector meets international excellence standards. As the G20 Summit draws near, showcasing world-class accommodation is essential. With thousands of global leaders, delegates, and media attending, ensuring a strong portfolio of graded properties is crucial to positioning South Africa as a premier tourism destination. TGCSA will launch the Free Grading Promotion for the month of February 2025. To drive participation, TGCSA will host hybrid roadshows across key tourism provinces. These events will provide essential information on the grading process and its benefits for businesses. Official Western Cape Launch Event: DATE | 5 February 2025, 08h00 – 12h30 VENUE | Innovation City, Cape Town & Online RSVP | https://bit.ly/40AGaj1 The roadshow will provide an excellent opportunity to get in-depth information about the promotion and to meet the team who will be available to assist with the sign-up process. For any queries, please contact TGCSA directly at feedback@tourismgrading.co.za 
Destination Spotlight Cape Town has been named the Best City in the World for 2025 Wesgro celebrates the recent announcement by Time Out, recognising Cape Town as the world’s top city for 2025. This prestigious accolade reflects Cape Town's exceptional beauty, vibrant culture, and outstanding hospitality, all of which have been key drivers of our thriving tourism sector. Cape Town is a bustling melting pot of cultures, tastes and experiences for everyone. You’re going to want to discover more, and a world of natural beauty lies beyond the boundaries of the city in the greater Western Cape regions: the Cape West Coast (Weskus), the Cape Karoo, the Garden Route & Klein Karoo, the Cape Winelands and the Cape Overberg. We invite travellers from around the globe to discover Cape Town and the Western Cape by visiting www.wesgro.co.za/travel.  Calitzdorp – Heart of the Klein Karoo In the very heart of the Klein Karoo’s unique attractions, including the majestic Swartberg Mountains, the renowned Cango Caves, the stunning mountain passes and indigenous African flora and fauna, lies the little town of Calitzdorp - ideally situated on Route 62 within a couple of hours driving time of all that is special in the region. Long known as the ‘Port Wine Capital’ of South Africa, Calitzdorp is also the succulent capital of South Africa: indeed, the ideal stopover for travellers wishing to enjoy all that the region has to offer. Naturally, this enjoyment starts with the seven wine cellars, famous for their Port wines that regularly win top local and international accolades. And while visiting the cellars for tasting of Port and fine red, white and dessert wines, visitors should keep their eyes peeled for the many examples of immaculately maintained old Georgian, Victorian, Cape Dutch and Karoo-style houses and prepare to be stunned by the beauty of the ubiquitous bougainvillea blooming on virtually every street corner of this quaint village. Pride of the main street is the Dutch Reformed Church, Calitzdorp’s national monument, where building began in 1855. The area is also renowned for its indigenous flora, especially the 500 species of succulents, 200 of which are found nowhere else on earth. And not least, the stunning sunsets and glorious Karoo night sky with its billions of stars, totally unsullied by the city’s smog, will live long in your memory. Calitzdorp’s welcoming facilities include accommodation and dining to suit all tastes and pockets: from four-star guest houses to relaxed self-catering cottages and from pizzas to a bistro that is uniquely located on a wine farm. 
Events Spotlight
Cape Town Carnival 15 March | Cape Town
In 2025 Cape Town Carnival will mark its 15th anniversary with a vibrant celebration of South African arts, music, and culture, featuring stunning floats, 1,500 performers, and an array of local food, entertainment, and merchandise. Starting at the Cape Town Stadium, the parade will wind down Somerset Road to Chiappini Street, showcasing community spirit and creativity. This year’s theme, "WowZA!", will highlight the glamour and magic of Cape Town, celebrating the city's energy and culture. It’s a time to honour the journey of the past 15 years, filled with unforgettable moments. Don’t miss out on this spectacular celebration in the heart of the Mother City!  West Coast Airshow 21 – 22 March | Saldanha Bay Mark your calendars for the most exhilarating event of 2025! The West Coast Airshow returns this March, promising two unforgettable days of high-octane excitement, breathtaking aerobatics, and family-friendly entertainment. Event Dates: 21 March 2025 (Build-Up Day): Enjoy sneak peeks, validation flights, and fun activities like the kiddies' fun park, drone park, potjiekos competition, and 4x4 demonstrations—all at pocket-friendly ticket prices. Perfect for families and friends wanting to soak up the airshow vibe before the big day. 22 March 2025 (Main Event): Prepare for an awe-inspiring showcase of aerial mastery! From roaring jets to dazzling aerobatic displays, the skies will come alive with world-class talent like the Marksmen Aerobatic Team and iconic aircraft like the Impala MK1 and the T-51D Mustang. Set against the stunning backdrop of the West Coast, this airshow is more than just an aviation spectacle - it’s a celebration of community, culture, and adventure. With food stalls, arts and crafts, glamping options, and activities for all ages, it’s the perfect long weekend getaway. Stay On-Site: Make it a weekend to remember with glamping packages, offering comfortable accommodation and prime viewing spots along the aerobatic display line. Arrive Thursday evening to set up and enjoy all the West Coast has to offer! Explore the West Coast: If you’re camping or glamping, make it your base and discover the gems of the West Coast region:
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, thrill-seeker, adrenaline junkie, or just looking for an extraordinary family outing, the 2025 West Coast Airshow is where you need to be. Come for the planes, stay for the memories!  2025 Wine Harvest Celebrations We invite you to join in on the celebrations and experience the excitement of South Africa’s Wine Harvest Festivals in 2025! The harvest season is one of the most vibrant times of the year, where the country’s exceptional vineyards come alive with festivities, tastings, music, and cultural celebrations. Here are some of the must-attend Harvest Festivals in 2025: click HERE. 
Vakantiebeurs Wesgro officially kicked off the year by participating at the Vakantiebeurs travel show in Utrecht, Netherlands which took place from 8 - 12 January 2025. Vakantiebeurs is the leading travel event of the Netherlands, where the world’s destinations meet under one roof and visitors come to the event to gain inspiration, discover new destinations, and obtain substantive information to book their next holiday. Wesgro joined South African Tourism on the South Africa pavilion, along with 18 other South African travel industry product owners and destination representatives, with the objective of showcasing the Western Cape’s abundant and world-class tourism offerings to Dutch consumers and trade. The Netherlands continues to be South Africa’s fourth largest overseas source market, recording 118 796 arrivals between January and November 2024, a 0,7% increase compared to 2023. This year’s edition of the show drew an impressive crowd of over 71,000 visitors. 
Community Tourism Event Workshop Wesgro, in partnership with the Western Cape Events Forum, successfully hosted the inaugural Community Tourism Event Workshop on 22 January 2025. This event brought together key community stakeholders to explore ways of building meaningful public-private partnerships within the events economy, with a particular focus on townships and smaller communities in Cape Town. Community events play a pivotal role in increasing economic growth and job creation within local townships and dorpies. These events attract residents and visitors alike, stimulating local businesses and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs. By encouraging the use of local vendors, artisans, and service providers, community events help keep economic activity within the townships and dorpies, ensuring that resources circulate locally. The workshop aimed to create a platform for dialogue and collaboration, equipping participants with the tools and knowledge needed to strengthen the events ecosystem. Through insightful presentations and engaging discussions, stakeholders gained a deeper understanding of how to leverage partnerships with Wesgro and the Western Cape Events Forum to elevate community-driven events and create broader economic benefits. Find out how to partner with Wesgro HERE. 
A glance into the future: What to look out for Where to engage with us
ITB Berlin | 4 - 6 March The Wesgro Tourism Unit will be exhibiting at ITB Berlin on the South African Tourism Stand in Hall 20 | 201 from 4 – 6 March 2025. The team would love to connect with our international trade partners and travel media to discuss all things destination promotion and possible future collaborations. Please be sure to make an appointment with the team to discover more about Cape Town and the Western Cape. Wesgro will also be taking part in the following upcoming tourism trade shows and roadshows
Resources for travel trade, media and visitors We have useful resources and up-to-date information that are available for travel trade, media and visitors to access, conveniently available online. |
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