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Cape Town occupancies down

Source: Tourism Update, 09/09/2015


Hotel occupancy rates in Cape Town have declined approximately 6%,
predominantly as a result of the visa regulations.


Hotel occupancy rates in Cape Town have declined approximately 6%,
predominantly as a result of the visa regulations, says Mark
Wynne-Smith, Global CEO for Hotels and Hospitality Group, who
addressed the Hospitality Investment Conference Africa 2015 at the
Hilton Sandton on Wednesday morning.



According to Wynne-Smith, who spoke to Tourism Update on the
side-lines of the conference, the decline is a result of Chinese
tourists having to travel to apply for a visa in person. "The UK sees
around 180 000 visitors from China and France sees approximately one
million Chinese tourists as the visa application processes are so
simple. Chinese travellers have a choice and if you put in extra
complications, the result is obvious."


Geri Wessels, Director: Development for Sub-Saharan Africa for Hilton,
said it had experienced a decline in occupancy in its Cape Town
properties. "We definitely have seen a decline. The Doubletree in
Woodstock, has seen a drop of 5% and the Hilton in Cape Town city
centre has seen a drop of 2% year-to-date."


Wynne-Smith warned that the regulations had had a negative impact and
would continue to do so


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