This inaugural flight is expected to touch down at 13:00 and marks the first of 11 charter flights scheduled every second week from November 2007 to March 2008. The flights are excellent news for Cape Town and the Western Cape with 3,500 tourists from Scandinavia expected over the next five months.

According to Calvyn Gilfellan, CTRU’s Acting CEO: “I am very excited about this venture, the result of two years’ planning with our tourism partners. It underlines our goal in growing and maximising Cape Town and the Western Cape as a winning destination brand. By boosting our region’s true economic potential, this project fits perfectly with our readiness planning for hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

The announcement follows closely on news that the Western Cape has once again proved it is a premier international tourism destination. According to SA Tourism’s 2006 full year tourism report, the Western Cape achieved 1 737 937 international arrivals representing a record-breaking 9.19% growth from the previous year. There was also a 17.2% growth in Total Foreign Direct Spend from R16.9 billion in 2005 to R19.8 billion in 2006.

Each MyTravel Airways flight will bring in an estimated 300 Scandinavian visitors who will spend two weeks experiencing Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Cape Garden Route. While in South Africa, the visitors will be hosted by Your Africa, a local tour operator.

Chris Iuel, general manager in charge of marketing for Your Africa says: “This charter project is an incredibly positive development out of the Scandinavian market. MyTravel Airways expects every departure to travel with 80 to 100% occupancy and does not plan projects like this as a once-off, but takes a long-term view on this venture. Their aim is to look at expanding the project in 2008 and 2009.”