CAPE POINT CELEBRATES HIGHEST NUMBERS SINCE 2007
Over 223 000 international and local visitors summited Cape Point on the Flying Dutchman funicular during the 2014 summer season, November 2013 to April 2014, a 4.14% increase compared to the same period last year.
Visitor entry figures into the Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park, where Cape Point is located, also increased substantially during the 2014 summer, a 5.51% growth over the same period in 2013.
Judiet Barnes, Marketing Manager for Cape Point, says the figures are equivalent to those seen at the height of South Africa’s tourism boom in 2007.
“The weakening Rand and improvement in global economies are encouraging more international visitors to South Africa, which is seen as a high quality and value-for-money destination,” says Barnes.
“We’ve also put a lot of energy into our digital marketing, cultivating nearly 60 000 followers on Facebook in 22 months, and we have been driving awareness for Cape Point on Twitter and Instagram.”
Built in 1996 the electric powered funicular is named after the Flying Dutchman ghost ship sighted by sailors over the past three-and-a-half centuries. The funicular transports visitors to an historic lighthouse and Cape Point’s iconic views. The change in altitude is just 87 metres but the steep climb takes the cars about 3 minutes to travel the 585 metres of rail.
Cape Point Nature Reserve is open 7 days a week (7am to 5pm April to September, 6am to 6pm October to March), with the Flying Dutchman funicular, Two Oceans Restaurant and the Curio Stores open from 9am to 5pm.
For more information visit www.capepoint.co.za or call the Information Centre on (021) 780 9010/11. Follow Cape Point on twitter @CapePointSA and Like Cape Point on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CapePointSA
ABOUT CAPE POINT
Cape Point, a nature reserve within the Table Mountain National Park; a declared Natural World Heritage Site is situated at the tip of the Cape Peninsula 60 km south-west of Cape Town. It encompasses 7 750 hectares of flora and fauna; is abound with buck, baboons and Cape Mountain Zebra as well as over 250 species of birds. Cape Point falls within the southern section of Table Mountain National Park. The natural vegetation of the area, fynbos, comprises the smallest but richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms. Access to this historical lighthouse, first completed in 1859 and standing at 286 metres above sea-level is by an exhilarating ride in the wheelchair accessible Flying Dutchman funicular that transfers visitors from the lower station at 127 metres above sea level, to the upper station at 249 metres above sea level. The Flying Dutchman Funicular, also known as the Cape Point Funicular, is believed to be the only commercial funicular of its type in Africa, and takes its name from the local legend of the Flying Dutchman ghost ship.
ABOUT CAPE POINT PARTNERSHIP
In 2003, Tolcon in conjunction with Thebe Tourism Group, were awarded the contract by South African National Parks to manage Cape Point in the Table Mountain National Park and promote it as one of South Africa’s key tourism icons. Facilities include the Flying Dutchman Funicular, the Two Oceans Restaurant and the retail shops. The Flying Dutchman carries 40 people (6 seated and 34 standing).
