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Department of Economic Development and Tourism

Tourism

Western Cape Cape Town CBD

What is Tourism?

Tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes.

Our Mandate

Our goal is to position the Western Cape as a premier destination that offers high-quality experiences to visitors while fostering economic development and transformation within the sector.

Tourism in the Western Cape

Although visiting friends and relatives is a major travel motivator for the domestic market, it is leisure and business tourism, particularly from international markets, that maximise the economic impact of the sector. In both leisure and business tourism the Western Cape is already competitive in global and national terms. Tourists from all over the world are drawn to the Western Cape’s scenic beauty, iconic cities and towns, food and wine, active adventure experiences as well as our culture and heritage offering. As a result of our wide range of activities and attractions, the province is well placed to capitalise on international travel trends that have dominated the past decade, notably the shift to experiential and responsible tourism.

Tourism Initiatives

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Tourism Month 2025

This September, the Western Cape Government invites you to rediscover the beauty, culture, and heritage of our province.

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Tourism Growth Fund

The Fund aims to support the development and enhancement of tourism attractions and businesses within the Western Cape.

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Tourism Safety and Support

The Tourism Safety and Support unit is dedicated to enhancing tourism safety and implementing strategies to address safety risk perceptions in the Western Cape.

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Sustainable Tourism Enterprise Support Programme

The STEP Project set out to guide SMEs along a practical, phased path to sustainable tourism certification and impact reporting.

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Register as a Tourist Guide

Tourist guides are required to be registered to ensure that visitors to our province have a positive experience while they’re on holiday in the Western Cape.

Tourism Resources

Click below to access publications, policies, and legislative documents related to the Tourism Sector. 

Tourism Events

The Tourism unit supports various events, workshops and training sessions within the Western Cape. 

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Contact us

For more information, please contact us at DEDAT.SectorSupport@westerncape.gov.za

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