The ECPTA has concluded a partnership with Travelstart to grow domestic tourism receipts to the Eastern Cape. The campaign period runs from 1st December 2021 to 31st of May 2022.
The following has been achieved to date:
Flights
For the period 1st December 2021 to 31st of May 2022, 37 909 flight bookings have been recorded, which is a substantial increase in bookings for the same period in 2020/21 where 36 151 bookings were recorded. An increase of 1 758 flights is recorded for the period reported on. This growth is despite uncertainty in travel relating to the threat of travel restrictions for December 2021. Fortunately, the restrictions were not imposed, and December bookings came through with a lead time of less than seven days. The short-term booking period has continued into the new year with a 10-day period or shorter recorded. This bodes well for promoting last minute discount deals. Airlift into the destinations has also has been reduced since 2019 but has continued to be well supported by Airlink and Flysafair. 50% of all bookings originated in Gauteng Province.
Accommodation
For the period 1st December 2021 to 31st of May 2022, 4 893 accommodation bookings have been recorded, which is a substantial increase in bookings for the same period in 2020/21 where 4 562 bookings were recorded. An increase of 331 bookings is recorded for the period reported on. The following table illustrates a breakdown of the top locations booked:
| Location | No of Bookings |
| Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth | 771 |
| East London | 547 |
| Graaff Reinet | 340 |
| Jeffreys Bay | 279 |
| Addo | 240 |
| Queenstown /Komani | 232 |
| Aliwal North | 231 |
| Middleburg | 215 |
| Cradock | 209 |
| Mthatha | 204 |
