Cape Town - Local visitors are expected to descend in their droves to attend the Cape Town Cycle Tour on Sunday, March 6 – one of the biggest events on the sports calendar.
Enver Duminy, chief executive of Cape Town Tourism, said: “It’s expected that local airlines will be fully booked and accommodation will be filled to capacity,” he said.
Duminy said 1 500 additional overseas visitors hadbooked to visit the Mother City this year compared with the past two years, with more than 4 500 of them indicating they required accommodation, meals and transport.
“It’s still peak season for our international visitors, and the cycle tour is a spectacle enjoyed by all who see it. The tour provides a fantastic opportunity for international exposure, and it takes place on some of the most scenic roads in the country,” he explained.
Duminy expects the Cape Town Cycle Expo will draw more people to its new venue at Cape Town Stadium.
“The venue has far better capabilities than the Good Hope Centre. In 2015 it was reported by the expo that 70 000 visitors were expected at the venue, so we anticipate similar crowds, at the very least, over the three days. Cape Town Stadium is right at the heart of tourism in the city, close to the City Bowl and the V&A Waterfront, so tourists are likely to be intrigued by all the activity.
“ This is the world’s biggest timed cycle tour, and the sight of all the cyclists taking part is an attraction on its own,” Duminy said.
He said the tour contributed R450 million to the city’s economy in 2014, the last time the full race took place, and it’s expected to generate at least the same figure this year.
“Alan Winde, provincial MEC for economic opportunities, has said the province’s top cycling events, which include the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the Cape Rouleur and the Absa Cape Epic, contribute in excess of R760 million to the economy,” Duminy said.
“The economic contribution of the cycle tour is extensive and spreads out across the entire peninsula. Events such as these create a buoyant economic environment and help to generate jobs in tourism and peripheral industries and contribute to sustainability in businesses.”
Duminy said domestic spend on day trips to Cape Town in 2013 had been R3.2 billion. “This is money spent on the city’s attractions, restaurants, local transport, and shopping. This is a significant contribution to the economy of Cape Town, according to research conducted by auditing firm Grant Thornton.”
Independent Media