As cities push back on tourists, is Cape Town at risk?

Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Richard Marshall, Founder of Nox Cape Town and member of the Southern Africa Short Term Rental Association about a growing global shift in tourism strategy, as major destinations begin actively “de-marketing” themselves to manage the pressures of overtourism. 

Listen to the interview in the audio player below the article.

A growing global trend is reshaping how top travel destinations manage visitors, and it may have implications for Cape Town.

Across parts of Europe and Asia, major cities are beginning to actively “de-market” themselves. This means they are no longer promoting tourism growth at all costs, but instead trying to manage demand by limiting visitor numbers, increasing tourism taxes, and tightening regulations on short-term rentals.

The shift is being driven by overtourism, a situation where too many visitors put pressure on infrastructure, housing, and local communities.

Popular destinations such as Barcelona and Venice have already introduced measures to curb tourist inflows, including restrictions on accommodation and daily visitor caps.

Is Cape Town, the jewel in South Africa's tourism crown at risk of heading in that direction too?

Speaking to Motheo Khoaripe on The Money Show, Richard Marshall, founder of Nox Cape Town and a member of the Southern Africa Short Term Rental Association, says while Cape Town has not yet reached the levels of overtourism seen in some international cities, industry players say early signs of pressure are worth noting.

But Marshall does caution against overly negative about increased tourist numbers.

"We have to be so careful, because what we have in South Africa and in Cape Town is an unemployment crisis and not an overtourism crisis."

- Richard Marshall, founder - Nox Cape Town

"Really, I want to push back against this sense of overtourism because Cape Town is benefitting enormously from tourism. It's a fantastic employer."

- Richard Marshall, founder - Nox Cape Town

"For every ten tourists that visit South Africa, a permanent job is created. And for a country that's in our position with 31% unemployment and 57% youth unemployment, we can't afford to be pushing back against tourism."

- Richard Marshall, founder - Nox Cape Town