Most international visitors to the Western Cape in winter are from the United States, Britain and Germany.

Patterns also show a gradual increase of tourists in what is generally regarded as tourism's lowest season.

The research was commissioned by Cape Town Routes Unlimited in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch, University of the Western Cape, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and African Equation.

The study shows that most international visitors this winter were British and spent more than their German and US counterparts, even though their stays were shorter.

Surprisingly, more US than German tourists visited the province and, on average, spent more.

Overall figures through the year indicate that the greatest number of visitors come from Britain, followed by Germany, then the US - but the patterns changed this winter.

"In winter, you find that the US comes second because the Germans tend to come to the Western Cape in our summer," said Linda Chonco of Cape Town Routes Unlimited.

During this two-month period, British tourists comprised 26 percent and spent an average of R9 205 per person on a 20-day stay. US visitors accounted for 13 percent and spent an average of R7 752 per person on a 25-night stay. German arrivals accounted for 12 percent of winter tourists, spending R7 425 per person.

The majority were first-time visitors to South Africa.

Among local visitors, the three largest winter markets were Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

About 60 percent of domestic visitors stayed for a week or less and 57,5 percent had visited the Western Cape three times or more in the past two years.

Chonco said the improved season was due to a concerted effort by the industry to focus on the low season of the winter months through cheaper packages and focused marketing.

Source: IOL / 6 Oct 2006