Knysna ranked 19th best tourism destination in the world

Knysna Tourism authorities say they’re filled with pride after the town was named a top tourist destination in the world.

Knysna was number 19 on the Tourism Sentiment Index 100 Most Loved Destinations Around the World for 2021.

Other Western Cape towns such as Stellenbosch came in at 23, Hermanus at 41, and Cape Town at 54.

#19

Congratulations to all Greater Knysna tourism operators, industry role-players, and businesses for maintaining world-class standards especially under the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are all aware of the contribution our tourism industry makes to our local economy. pic.twitter.com/t4I2GtUYc4

— KnysnaMunicipality (@KnysnaMuni) January 21, 2022

General Manager of the Visit Knysna Tourism Office, Coleen Durant, says their online digital content helped tourists to select them as a destination.

“So, we developed new websites that are content and image dense that is totally optimised. Our social media has always encouraged conversation and engagements. We’ve done a number of digital campaigns that are obviously showing effect and these have all led and directed towards our website and developed. And we included a lot of video content as well showing people what our destination has to offer and how magnificently beautiful it is.”

Cape Town tourism recovering

Meanwhile, the City of Cape Town says it’s working hard to restore confidence in the tourism sector.

This as the sector is showing steady signs of improvement, after the COVID-19 pandemic decimated it.

Tourism authorities have also reported a recovery of 66% for domestic arrivals and 29% for international arrivals at the Cape Town International Airport for December last year compared to 2019, before the pandemic.

Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, James Vos, says they believe that an upward trajectory for travel to Cape Town will continue.

“We will also keep driving effective marketing that results in bookings from key source markets. Our approach towards pocket-friendly travel for locals and visitors will continue because this leads to more arrivals and more local travel aims at benefitting tourism and hospitality businesses.”

At the start of the festive season in December last year, James Vos outlined the City’s tourism campaign aimed at boosting domestic travel: