International travel to the Western Cape increased strongly during the first half of 2006, with a record-breaking first quarter bolstered by strong second quarter growth.

The latest numbers show a 7.7% increase to 330 678 visitors between April and June 2006 compared to the same period the previous year. This follows first quarter growth of nearly 8% compared to 2005, with international visitor numbers exceeding the half-million mark between January and March for the first time.

Sheryl Ozinsky, Cape Town Routes Unlimited Chief Executive, says the sustained second quarter is significant, given that this is usually when visitor numbers begin to fall off dramatically.

"The tourism industry has for some time, been trying to grow winter business. The fact that growth during the second quarter is nearly as strongly as the first indicates that we're not losing ground and are having some success in attracting visitors during the traditional low season. The quarter three figures will give us a better idea of how much."

She says that the growth has particularly benefited the Cape's hospitality industry, with the demand for bednights in hotels and guest houses increasing by 24.7% with 4.4 million sold during the quarter.

"The increase in bednights is good news in terms of growing tourism revenue, but should also mean more sustainable jobs in the hospitality industry."

Source: SA Good News