Vote for Table Mountain as South Africans rally behind it for sixth African tourism title

South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town is once again up for Africa’s top tourist attraction, with public votes set to decide if it secures a sixth title.

Table Mountain is competing in the prestigious World Travel Awards, where winners are decided purely by public support.

Officials say the campaign is not just about tourism, it’s about national pride.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company is urging South Africans and global visitors to vote.

The company’s Collette van Aswegen said the landmark represents far more than a scenic attraction.

“It reflects our country’s beauty, resilience and global appeal,” she said.

The mountain has already won the title five times, underlining its continued dominance as one of Africa’s top travel destinations.

One of the oldest mountains on Earth

Beyond its visual impact, Table Mountain carries deep geological significance.

Van Aswegen said the mountain is around 360 million years old, making it older than even the Himalayas.

That ancient history adds to its global appeal and reinforces why it continues to compete at the highest level in tourism rankings.

A symbol rooted in history and identity

Table Mountain’s importance goes beyond tourism.

It holds deep cultural meaning, with indigenous Khoi people naming it ‘Hoerikwaggo’, meaning ‘Mountain of the Sea’.

The landmark’s presence, rising sharply above the ocean on Cape Town’s skyline, has made it one of the most recognisable natural symbols of South Africa.

For many South Africans, it is tied to memory, identity and everyday life.

Voting process and global competition

Voting in the World Travel Awards is open to the public.

Supporters must register online, select the Africa region, and vote in the ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ category.

Van Aswegen confirmed the outcome is determined purely by vote count.

Strong tourism season despite challenges

The nomination comes after a busy summer season in Cape Town.

While windy conditions disrupted some operations, visitor numbers remained strong over December and January.

On operational days, the cableway continued to carry tourists to the summit, one of the country's most visited viewpoints.

Why this matters now

With global tourism competition intensifying, the latest nomination puts Table Mountain and South Africa back in the spotlight.

The campaign is expected to mobilise patriotic support, especially among those who have experienced the landmark firsthand.

For many, the message is simple: vote to keep one of South Africa’s most recognisable landmarks at the top.

Cape Town tourism surge strengthens Table Mountain’s case

Cape Town’s strong tourism performance is reinforcing calls to back Table Mountain’s latest nomination.

Recent figures show international travel to the city is rising, with passenger numbers at Cape Town International Airport increasing in early 2026.

Industry stakeholders say the growth highlights Cape Town’s continued global appeal.

At the centre of that appeal is Table Mountain, one of Africa’s most visited landmarks, which has previously attracted more than a million visitors in a single year.

The mountain’s enduring popularity among both international tourists and South Africans is expected to play a key role as voting for Africa’s leading tourist attraction gathers momentum.

For more detailed information, listen to Van Aswegen on CapeTalk using the audio player below: