Emirates and Wesgro sign MoU to Stimulate Inbound Tourism to the Western Cape

On the sidelines of Africa’s World Travel Market (WTM), Emirates and Wesgro have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive inbound tourism and boost visitors to Cape Town and the Western Cape.

Purpose of the Agreement
- Signed at World Travel Market Africa (WTM) in April 2026.
- Aims to stimulate inbound tourism to Cape Town and the Western Cape.
- Supports the region’s Growth for Jobs Strategy, which focuses on unlocking inclusive and sustainable tourism growth.

Emirates’ Role
- Emirates will promote Cape Town and the Western Cape across its global network, targeting growth markets such as the GCC, Far East, India, and other key regions.
- Plans to introduce a third daily flight to Cape Town, operated by the new Airbus A350, reinforcing its long-term commitment to South Africa.
- Emirates SkyCargo continues to support trade by transporting South African perishables (fruits, vegetables, seafood, flowers) to global markets within 24–48 hours.

Wesgro’s Role
- As the region’s tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency, Wesgro will collaborate with Emirates to strengthen demand and global partnerships.
- Focus on positioning Cape Town and the Western Cape as a premium destination for both leisure and business travelers.

Economic Impact
- Tourism is a major pillar of the Western Cape economy, creating tens of thousands of jobs.
- Cape Town International Airport saw a record 11.1 million two-way passengers in 2025, highlighting strong demand.
- Emirates has operated in Cape Town since 2008, steadily expanding connectivity.

Bottom line: This MoU is a strategic move to deepen Cape Town’s global reach, leveraging Emirates’ network and Wesgro’s regional expertise to boost tourism and trade.