Cape Town - Cape Town has been voted second among the top cities in the world for the best restaurants and helpful residents.
A world city survey for this year by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, urged users to rate cities in a number of categories.
New York topped the “best restaurants” category and Tokyo was number one for “helpful locals”.
Cape Town was rated second in both categories.
TripAdvisor’s Helena Egan said most tourists chose to visit because of the people.
“Everyone is friendly and it’s a genuine friendliness. It comes from the heart. It’s natural. The joy and happiness of the people are key to your destination success.”
More than 2 000 tourism-related businesses in South Africa have been awarded the coveted TripAdvisor certificate of excellence this year. Most of them, 1 169, are in the Western Cape.
Cape Town Tourism marketing executive Velma Corcoran said: “Any accolade awarded by destination users is a fantastic barometer for us. That we have been voted second to New York as one of the world’s top restaurant cities is truly a testament to Cape Town’s talented and visionary chefs and restaurateurs.
“It is a moment to celebrate and luckily Capetonians and visitors can do this at great value this winter as excellent specials abound.” – Cape Times