Cape Town - Cape Town has been announced as the best-value long haul destination in the world in the UK Post Office Travel Money Report, 2016.
The report measures countries based on the price of a basket of items. At £48.89 for a "basket” of 10 tourist items - including meals and drinks - Cape Town ranks significantly cheaper than Bali (£62.56), where the cost of eating out has increased by more than 50% in the past 12 months.
Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism said this by no means devalues what Cape Town has to offer. He prefers to term this as “affordable luxury”, given Cape Town’s global reputation for hotels, restaurants, retail experiences and more.
Cape Town has been named as Luxury City Destination of the Year for the second consecutive year in the Luxury Travel Guide Africa & Middle East Awards 2016, for example. The Mother City also won the 2015/16 Telegraph Travel Awards as Best City for the fourth year running.
In Condé Nast’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Cape Town took the honour as the number one food city in the world for 2016 and, also in the Condé Nast's Reader’s Choice Awards, Cape Town was chosen as best city in the world for bars and restaurants.
Duminy told Fin24 that, as a destination, Cape Town benefits from having such a favourable exchange rate for international visitors. This is also of benefit to locals as it means that not only can they experience affordable luxury, but they are exposed to a world class destination close up.
"The exchange rate may discourage them from travelling internationally, so this season may see them opting to explore Cape Town and further afield in South Africa instead," said Duminy.
In his view, the pricing locally appeals to visitors looking for both luxury and affordable travel, and provides excellent value for money to those. Visitors from emerging markets will benefit from the exchange rate as will those from established markets.
"The Air Access initiative is also contributing to attracting international visitors as it is seeking to develop more direct flights to Cape Town, reducing time spent waiting for connecting flights, an added incentive for business and leisure travellers," said Duminy.
"For international visitors Cape Town has plenty to offer in terms of luxurious experiences – indeed, the city has just been voted Luxury Destination of the Year - Africa and Middle East - with world-class restaurants, luxury retail experiences and award-winning hotels and guest houses."
He said tourism professionals are gearing up for what could be a bumper season should growth in the sector continue.
"Given the seven hotel developments underway, it would appear that investor confidence is strong," he said.
Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter: Fin24’s top stories