Apart, But Closer Than Ever

Donald Kau, the V&A Waterfront head of PR and c ommunications, tells us how this popular Mother City tourist destination will be shining a light on hope this summer.

- Donald Kau

Ever since South Africa’s success hosting the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, tourism to Cape Town in particular has steadily increased, and this year the city was on course to attract the highest number of international visitors on record.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and global tourism came to a sudden halt.

The impact of the virus and the loss in tourism revenue is being felt by countries the world over. Yet of all the world’s industries, tourism offers the greatest potential for regaining socioeconomic stability. In South Africa alone, the industry creates 470 000 direct jobs and more than 1.5 million indirect jobs. Equally important, 80 per cent of the industry is made up of small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs).

The V&A Waterfront is one of the most visited destinations in South Africa. For the past few years, it has regularly attracted more than 24 million people a year. And while international tourism is important to us – it accounts for 25 to 30 per cent of our business – domestic tourism is just as important. It is a favourite destination with locals and domestic travellers alike.

The V&A Waterfront sustains the business of several hotels, leisure attractions, more than 450 retail tenants and 80 eateries – so our team owed it to our own business neighbourhood to reopen as quickly as possible, safely and responsibly.