Mother City Tops Major Travel Hotspot Lists | Western Cape Government

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Mother City Tops Major Travel Hotspot Lists

13 January 2014

Cape Town has been ranked as the top city to visit in 2014 by the New York Times and well-respected British newspaper The Guardian.

The New York Times released its list of the “52 places to go in 2014”, rating Cape Town as the number one destination to visit this year. The Mother City beat other exciting destinations such as Christchurch, New Zealand, The North Coast of California, the Albanian Coast and Downtown Los Angeles to the top spot of the USA’s second most read newspaper.

The Guardian, one of the most respected British publications, listed Cape Town at the top of its list of the best 40 holiday hotspots for 2014.

Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, said the news came as Cape Town was hosting one of its best summers since the recession: “This is great news for our city’s tourism sector and excellent publicity for our destination. These awards will no doubt help to elevate Cape Town to the top of travellers’ bucket lists.”

2014 also marked the start of Cape Town hosting the World Design Capital, a year-long celebration of design which is expected to draw an increase in visitors.

“I am confident that our inclusion in the travel lists of these top publications, coupled with the World Design Capital, will help us to achieve our aim of drawing a record number of travellers to our beautiful city in 2014,” said Minister Winde.

Describing Cape Town, the New York Times points to historical landmarks including Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.

Highligting the city’s creative sectors, the article cites that Cape Town is “celebrating design in all its forms”. It invites readers to witness a “city in transformation”.

“Cape Town is again reinventing itself, and the world is invited to its renaissance,” concludes the article.

The full lists from the New York Times and The Guardian.

Media Enquiries: 
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson for Minister Alan Winde
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 082 454 4365