The Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) has welcomed the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that international borders will be reopened as part of a “rapid and sustained economic recovery” following the devastating economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We echo the President’s call to focus our attention on economic recovery as we transition into the next phase of the Covid-19 response,” says CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos. “The opening of borders presents the welcome prospect of international travellers descending on the Mother City once again during our peak summer season. A move the hard-hit tourism and hospitality industry desperately needs.”

Cape Town’s Central City has 169 accommodation and travel businesses that will benefit directly from this development, including 44 hotels, 27 backpacker lodges, 54 travel services and 13 car-hire businesses. Many of the other 3 320 CBD businesses from museums, galleries, shops and restaurants to bars and coffee shops will also benefit from the easing of lockdown regulations, including changes to liquor sales. 

Last month the CCID launched a campaign to reignite the Cape Town CBD economy. Called “Come Back To Town”, the economic-recovery campaign speaks to all stakeholders, reminding them of what they have been missing and enticing them back to the heart of the city.

“We are inviting visitors from near and far to come back to the Central City to do business, to shop, to play and to visit with the knowledge that safety protocols remain top of mind. The Cape Town CBD is open for business!” concludes Evangelinos.

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Issued by Atmosphere Communications for Sharon Sorour-Morris, Communications manager of the CCID
Email: sharon@capetownccid.org
Cell: 082 216 0835