SA gears up for a record-setting December: Table Mountain Cableway celebrates soaring visitor numbers

South Africa’s tourism sector is heading into December on a high note, with the latest arrival statistics suggesting one of the strongest festive seasons since before the pandemic.

Image: supplied

And for the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC), the upward trend could soon bring an exciting milestone of its own.

Fresh data released by the Department of Tourism on 3 November shows that South Africa welcomed 7,634,261 international visitors in the first nine months of the year—more than one million additional arrivals compared to the same period in 2023. The positive momentum mirrors insights from provincial tourism agency Wesgro, which recently reported that the Western Cape continues its steady recovery.

According to Wesgro, international arrivals to the Western Cape reached 87.4% of 2019 levels between January and June 2025. The African continent and Australasia have already bounced back to full pre-pandemic volume, while North America (89.1%) and Europe (82.8%) are closing in fast. The organisation attributes this rise to the region’s resilience and its ability to rebuild demand post-2019.

For TMACC Managing Director Wahida Parker, these figures confirm that the collective efforts of South Africa’s tourism industry are paying off.

“These numbers are the clearest possible indication that the incredible efforts of both the public and private sectors to reignite tourism are truly paying off,” Parker says. “The recovery is officially in full swing, and this milestone is a cause for celebration across the entire value chain.”

With the festive season around the corner, Parker says the surge of more than a million extra international travellers sets a strong tone for what is traditionally one of the most important tourism periods of the year.

“We have immense confidence that we are set for a very busy and prosperous December holiday season,” she adds. “The festive period is vital for generating revenue and creating jobs, and this sustained growth is exactly what our tourism hubs—especially Cape Town—need.”

Still, Parker emphasises that success relies on collaboration. Seamless travel experiences, she says, depend on strong cooperation between accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators and visitor attractions.

TMACC itself is preparing for major footfall. The company expects to welcome its 33-millionth visitor in the coming weeks, after surpassing the 32-million mark earlier this year. Operational plans are in place to ensure smooth, safe and memorable journeys to the summit of one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

Parker encourages visitors to buy tickets online, use the free shuttle service, and download the Cableway app for real-time updates and tips.

“We’re ready and excited to welcome guests from across the world, across the country, and from right here in the Mother City,” she says. “Sharing the views from Table Mountain never gets old.”